Multilateralists, together

On Monday we celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, with relations formally established on July 14, 1955.

That same year, Finland became a member of the United Nations (UN). Yet not before the Philippines, one of the 51 original states that signed the UN Charter, and the only Southeast Asian nation among them.

Our membership matters because the majority of the UN membership consists of smaller states like ours. For us the UN and international law are indispensable to our welfare. The UN Charter and its universal values, treaties and institutions form the foundation of the rules-based international system which is at the heart not only of our countries’ foreign policy, but our way of life.

In recent times, we have witnessed a rapidly changing global economic and security order. Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine sets a dangerous precedent for others. Supply chains are disrupted. Partnerships threatened. These threats exist in the Indo-Pacific region as elsewhere.

Economic power, with trade policy at its core, has again become a part of the security policy tool kit and well-understood rules of international trade are being tested. As they are tested, at the same time as we see increasing democratic fragility and social conflict, so it is ever-more important to work to strengthen the rules that built the peace.

Countries like ours, committed multilateralists, are at the heart of that system. We are ready and able to play our part to uphold a global order that has allowed our countries to thrive, and our people to realize these universal rights. And our commitment is seen in bids for non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for the terms 2027-2028 and 2029-2030.

Because we know that the challenges of our time do not respect borders: climate change; conflict; migration; technological disruption; poverty. No country can solve these alone, but all will face these challenges unless we find shared solutions to the shared global problems.

At the same time, a lack of progress towards solutions encourage many to work outside existing international institutions. Finland and the Philippines recognize that the UN system is in need of modernization, to ensure our international institutions can address global realities. We must not reject these institutions, but reform them.

History has taught Finland that a vibrant rules-based multilateralism offers the best model for our interconnected world. And with 70 years of cooperation behind us, we know that with the Philippines we have a likeminded partner in this endeavor.

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Saija Nurminen is the Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines.