Photo: World Economic Forum
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on 23–25 January 2013. The event brings together a large number of political and financial leaders engaging in a wide-ranging discussion of the challenges and opportunities of the world’s economic growth. Delegates spoke for instance about the financial situation in Europe and global financial issues, such as equitable distribution of growth and the financial risks of environmental problems.
President Niinistö was one of the main speakers at the session for heads of government focusing on the future of Europe. In his talk, President Niinistö emphasised the importance of strengthening trust between European countries and restoring the confidence of citizens.
President Niinistö being interviewed by Richard Quest from CNN in Davos. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
“As the financial crisis turns to growth, we must ensure that the growth is equitable and that those hit hardest by the crisis get to benefit from that growth. This is the lesson we learned in Finland after the recession of the 1990s,” said President Niinistö.
President Niinistö also spoke at the working lunch for heads of government, where the topic was the global outlook for 2013.
High-level meetings
At the World Economic Forum, President Niinistö engaged in one-on-one talks with Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, Swiss President Ueli Maurer, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Costa Rican President Laura Chincilla, Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorji, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
President Niinistö also had the opportunity to meet African leaders, including Guinean President Alpha Condé, South African President Jacob Zuma and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegni, and to discuss issues such as the current situation in Mali. President Niinistö also discussed the Syrian situation with Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The President further met leaders of multinational corporations in Davos with a view to discussing investment opportunities in Finland.
President Niinistö gave interviews in Davos to international media, for instance for CNN’s Quest means business. In this interview, the President emphasised the importance of restoring trust in Europe.
Guinean President Alpha Condé and President Niinistö having a conversation in Davos. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
On the opening day of the summit, talks concerned the financial situation in Europe and Britain’s announcement of an EU referendum, and also global financial issues such as equitable distribution of growth and financial risks caused by environmental problems.
The World Economic Forum was attended by close to 50 heads of state or government. Overall participation was in excess of 2,500. In addition to political leaders, participants included corporate management, researchers and representatives of international organisations. The purpose of the Forum, held now for the 43rd time, is to bring together experts in various fields to talk about solutions to the world’s problems.