Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 36/2023
16 October 2023
Former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari passed away in Helsinki on 16 October 2023 at 6:40 at the age of 86.
Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari served as the tenth President of the Republic of Finland from 1994 to 2000. Before his presidency, he held a number of key positions in the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the United Nations.
After his presidency, Ahtisaari founded CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, a peace brokerage organisation held in high regard, and played a prominent role in international peace talks and mediation efforts. In recognition of his work to resolve international conflicts President Ahtisaari was award the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.
“It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the death of President Martti Ahtisaari. Martti Ahtisaari believed in humankind, civilisation and goodness, and he lived a great, significant life. He was President in times of change, who piloted Finland into a global EU era”, says President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö.
President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö will give a speech in memory of President Martti Ahtisaari on 16 October 2023 at 11:00 on Yle TV1.
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- Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö following the passing of former President of the Republic Martti Ahtisaari on 16 October 2023