What did President Alexander Stubb of Finland say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb framed foreign policy as a choice between cooperation and conflict, called for an end to the veto and for countries that break the UN Charter to lose their Security Council vote, and launched Finland’s bid for a Council seat in 2029 and 2030.
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He addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the tenth speaker of the morning session.
The speech in brief
- A choice. The world is drifting toward a “non-cooperative multipolar order” of zero-sum deals, where trade, technology and energy become weapons.
- Three remedies. Strengthen international law, uphold humanitarian principles, and use language that lowers polarization.
- Security Council. More permanent seats for Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, no veto for anyone, and suspended voting rights for members that violate the Charter.
- Peace talks. He wants the UN back at the center of mediation, with the Secretary-General as “Mediator-in-Chief”.
- Ukraine and Gaza. He called Russia’s war unlawful, unjustified and unprovoked, and Gaza one of the world’s most acute emergencies.
- AI. He called it the most consequential technology in human history and asked for shared governance.
In his own words
What the world needs now, is a new San Francisco moment.
“Foreign policy is about a choice. Cooperation or conflict.”
“This order, as it turns out, is based on zero-sum deals, transactions, and unrestrained power.”
“No single state should have veto power.”
“If a member of the Security Council violates the UN Charter, its voting rights should be suspended.”
“Artificial intelligence is the most consequential technology in the history of mankind.”
Worth knowing
- A “San Francisco moment” refers to the 1945 conference in San Francisco where the UN Charter was signed.
Watch and read the full speech
Video of the address:
Finland: President addresses the UN General Debate, 81st session
The UN’s video of the whole day:
UN Web TVWatch Day 1 of the UNGA 81 general debate on UN Web TVRead the full text on the President of Finland’s website.
The UN posts the statement on its general debate website.
Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.
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