Last week at UNGA in New York City, I was reminded how connected our world is in this time of accelerating change and volatility.
Meeting leaders from around the globe, I was also reminded again and again how Finland carries a reputation much larger than its size. In conversation after conversation, one word kept surfacing: trust.
Finland played a highly visible and visionary role at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), with President Alexander Stubb delivering several powerful statements advocating UN reform, international peace, and stronger representation for underrepresented regions.
News outlets and opinion forums praised Stubb’s address for its honesty, vision, and constructive proposals, often referring to his speech as one of the most inspiring and impactful at this year’s assembly.
Female Prime Ministers of Finland
In addition to President Stubb, our former Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi shared insights on the Future of Leadership, Women’s Representation and Resilient Governance in a fireside chat moderated by Andrew Sollinger, Publisher & CEO of Foreign Policy, at one of the UNGA side events.
H.E. Mari Kiviniemi, Former Prime Minister of Finland and Club de Madrid Member, reflected on Finland’s groundbreaking legacy in advancing women’s political leadership, including both female prime ministers and a female president, making it one of the world’s pioneers of gender equality in governance.
Kiviniemi served as Finland’s 41st Prime Minister from 2010 to 2011, later as OECD Deputy Secretary General from 2014 to 2018, and most recently as Managing Director of the Finnish Federation of Commerce. Her career reflects Finland’s long-standing commitment to advancing women in leadership.
That commitment has deep roots. In 1906, Finland’s parliament, the Eduskunta, made history as the first in the world to grant women full political rights, not only the right to vote, but also the right to stand for election. Since then, Finland has continued to lead globally in gender equality, with three female prime ministers, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Mari Kiviniemi, and Sanna Marin, and a female president, Tarja Halonen, who served from 2000 to 2012 as the nation’s first woman head of state and remains a global champion of equality and human rights. Each of these female leaders has played a defining role in shaping Finland’s direction and reinforcing its reputation as a pioneer of inclusive governance.
Reflections on Finnish Leadership
Finland is admired for equality and trusted as a reliable partner. Ranked the happiest country in the world eight years in a row, Finland is respected globally for pioneering education, sustainability, and good governance. President Stubb’s presence at UNGA only amplified this, projecting Finland’s distinctive credibility and bridge-building leadership.
Finland consistently ranks at the top globally in multiple measures, including its passport strength and freedom of speech, making it one of the world’s most respected nations for openness and quality of life.
- Finland’s passport is ranked among the top three globally in 2025, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to between 174 and 192 countries, depending on the index.
This high ranking reflects the country’s strong diplomatic relationships and international trust, making it one of the most powerful travel documents worldwide.
Three reflections I carry from UNGA80:
- Nordic trust is more than a value, it is a responsibility for our generation and embedded in our history, a culture Finns live every day.
- Equality and collective leadership are at the heart of Finland’s legacy. Shaped by trailblazing women leaders and a tradition of working together, making it one of the world’s pioneers of gender equality in governance.
- Finnish leadership is grounded in humility and courage. The strength of a smaller nation lies in its ability to cooperate with others, and smart diplomacy allows it to exercise meaningful influence on the global stage.
From listening to inspiring reflections by former Prime Minister Kiviniemi to the unforgettable moment of crossing paths with President Alexander Stubb on the streets of New York, it was inspiring to see the energy of Finnish leadership on the world stage.
