finland state visit to south africa

President Niinistö on the state visit to South Africa: “We need international cooperation, and Africa is playing a rapidly increasing role”

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa greeting President Sauli Niinistö. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö made an official visit to South Africa on 25–26 April 2023.

On Tuesday 25 April, President Niinistö met with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. In addition to bilateral relations, the discussions between the Presidents focused on the geopolitical situation and common global challenges, such as climate change.

“It’s very important that we do not find ourselves living in a world which is divided into very deep differences, into two or more parts. All the work to enhance understanding between peoples and between people is now valuable, and I have a deep feeling that we have, in our discussions today, done our best in that direction”, President Niinistö said at a joint press conference after the discussion.

During the state visit, Finland and South Africa signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in mediation.

In the afternoon, President Niinistö and President Ramaphosa participated in a roundtable discussion on joint opportunities for the countries to use smart, safe and sustainable solutions to promote sustainable growth. The event was also attended by representatives of Finnish and South African trade and industry.

Keynote speech and discussion with students in Johannesburg

On Wednesday 26 April, President Niinistö gave a keynote speech and took part in a discussion at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in Johannesburg. The topic of the speech  was responding to common challenges in the era of shifting geopolitics.

In his speech, President Niinistö said that Africa is playing a growing role in the world and that South Africa has influence on the international stage. Africa is a continent with some of the fastest growing economies of the world, whose population will by 2050 amount to more than a quarter of the total world population.

“To save and strengthen effective multilateral cooperation with the UN at its core, we need African leadership,” President Niinistö said.

“From whatever corner of the world we are looking at the global situation, we see growing challenges. To untangle the knot of crises we are faced with, we need to come together.”

In his speech, the President also addressed the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “With its actions, Russia is making a mockery of the UN Charter that requires member states to refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”, the President said.

The President also stressed the importance of engaging young people and involving them in decision-making. “I am optimistic that in the younger generations, there are again leaders in the making who have the ability to bring people together. Leaders, who will make us focus on what unites us”, President Niinistö said as he concluded his speech.

On Wednesday 26 April, the President also met with South African foreign policy experts.

President Niinistö last visited South Africa in 2013 when he attended the memorial service for President Nelson Mandela.

State Visit to Namibia

On Thursday 27 April, President Niinistö will continue on a state visit to Namibia, where he will meet President of Namibia Hage G. Geingob. The previous presidential visit from Finland to Namibia was made by President Tarja Halonen in 2011.

• Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023

Finnish and South African flags along a street in Pretoria. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Guns being prepared for the welcoming ceremony and a twenty-one round gun salute at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa greeting president Sauli Niinistö. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

The official state visit welcoming ceremony in Pretoria on 25 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President Niinistö inspecting the guard of honour. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and president Sauli Niinistö. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Delegation discussions in Pretoria on 25 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Joint press conference with the Presidents in Pretoria on 25 April 2023. Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

A very good start to my state visit in South Africa. In the current geopolitical situation, it was very valuable to have a chance to exchange views with President @CyrilRamaphosa . Finland and South Africa have excellent relations and our cooperation is deepening. pic.twitter.com/ND5gNaUXSo — Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) April 25, 2023

Tämä pysähdytti. pic.twitter.com/WBjqOCksSM — Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) April 26, 2023

“From whatever corner of the world we are looking at the global situation, we see growing challenges. To untangle the knot of crises we are faced with, we need to come together.” https://t.co/rem705XPbY — Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) April 26, 2023

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Home » President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Finland President

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Finland President

President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed  President Sauli Niinistö of Finland on a State Visit to South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre in Tswane today. The State Visit is the first by a Finnish President to the country in more than twenty years, however, NiinistO visited South Africa in December 2013 to attend the funeral of […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed  President Sauli Niinistö of Finland on a State Visit to South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre in Tswane today.

The State Visit is the first by a Finnish President to the country in more than twenty years, however, NiinistO visited South Africa in December 2013 to attend the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela.

“Finland is an important partner to South Africa and, despite its small population and territory; it is amongst the most developed countries in the world and provides valuable trade, investment and development cooperation to South Africa. Like the other Nordics, they play an active role in global affairs, are strong advocates for multilateralism, have an excellent capacity and track record for peace and mediation efforts, and are global leaders in innovation. “Since 2010 Finland has been supportive of South Africa’s national priorities and continues to be a reliable partner in various sectors including maritime, science and technology, ICT and digitalization, environment, energy, education, skills development, agriculture and water,” the Presidency said.

According to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, President Sauli Niinistö  is a very important figure for South Africa as our core concern is the economy. Pandor says Finland is one of the best countries in the world that have better education. The Department of Basic Education will be working together with the government of Finland to improve the quality of education in SA.

The visit will include a business roundtable which will include delegates from both countries which the Presidency said aims to reinforce existing relations between the two countries and pave the way for new avenues of collaboration.

[WATCH] President @CyrilRamaphosa and President Niinistö engage each other at the Union Buildings. The Heads of State will have a brief tête-à-tête ahead of the signing ceremony and media briefing. #FinlandStateVisit #FinlandInSA pic.twitter.com/Mwl3QbIbhv — @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) April 25, 2023

[More pics] The welcome ceremony is taking place at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre. #FinlandInSA #FinlandStateVisit #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/WU6NMUvKdV — @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) April 25, 2023

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President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts his Excellency President Sauli Väinämö Niinistö for State Visit, 24 to 26 Apr

President ramaphosa to host president niinistö for a state visit.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host His Excellency President Sauli Väinämö Niinistö of the Republic of Finland on a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa. President of Finland will undertake a State Visit to the Republic from 24 to 26 April 2023, at the invitation of President Ramaphosa. Initially, the Visit was planned in April 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Visit will be the first by a Finnish President to South Africa in more than twenty years. President Niinistö, however, visited South Africa in December 2013 to attend the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela. Bilateral relations between Finland and South Africa are deep rooted due to Finnish support for the liberation movements in Southern Africa. Relations have grown since 1994 in all areas of bilateral engagement and Finnish investment is a major priority for both countries, with over R2 billion in new investments in the last 3 years. President Niinistö will be accompanied by a delegation of Finnish business leaders and a Business RoundTable will be hosted in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Cooperation (dtic) under the theme; "Building Smart, Secure, Sustainable Society Together". The objective of the session is to strengthen trade and investment relations between South Africa and Finland through the mobilisation and facilitation of new investments, expansion and nurturing of existing Finnish investments in South Africa, as well as exploring opportunities for joint ventures in technology commercialisation in mutual sectors. Most of the discussions will centre on possible opportunities in renewable energy; Information and Communication Technology; mining technology; packaging and food hygiene; construction and finance, that the South African and Finnish companies can work together in exploring. The Presidential Round Table will be preceded by a Business-to-Business Matchmaking engagement between the South Africa and Finnish companies. The outcome of the two interactions is expected to be an increase in trade and investment between South Africa and Finland. Finland is an important partner to South Africa and, despite its small population and territory; it is amongst the most developed countries in the world and provides valuable trade, investment and development cooperation to South Africa. Like the other Nordics, they play an active role in global affairs, are strong advocates for multilateralism, have an excellent capacity and track record for peace and mediation efforts, and are global leaders in innovation. Since 2010 Finland has been supportive of South Africa’s national priorities and continues to be a reliable partner in various sectors including maritime, science and technology, ICT and digitalization, environment, energy, education, skills development, agriculture and water. President Niinistö will also be conducting a State Visit to Namibia during his Southern Africa visit. Within the SADC context, the Finnish have supported several programmes on sustainable water management. The Finnish engagement with Africa forms part of its strategic objective of increasing partnerships with Africa, including expanding its diplomatic presence, its support for the African Agenda and expanding economic relations. In this regard, Finland has adopted an Africa Strategy. Finland is also a strong international partner in areas of various global issues such as strengthening multilateralism, international law, peacebuilding and mediation, the advancement of gender and human rights as well as around issues of renewable energy.  

The State Visit will take place as follows: Date: Tuesday, 25 April 2023 Time: 10h00 (Accredited media to arrive at 08h30) Venue: The Union Buildings, Pretoria

The Presidential Business Roundtable will take place as follows: Date: Tuesday, 25 April 2023 Time: 15h00 Venue: The CoLab, Menlyn Maine, 194 Bancor Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media wishing to cover the State Visit must fill in the  Accreditation  template and send back to: Shadi Baloyi Cell: 072 571 6415 Email:  [email protected]  by Thursday, 20 April 2023, 16h00. No late submissions will be accepted. For Presidential Business Roundtable,  Accreditation  template should be send to: Tsakane Khambane Cell: 082 084 5566 Email:  [email protected]  

Bongani Lukhele Email:  [email protected]  by 16h00 on Thursday, 20 April 2023. Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President Cell: 082 835 6315

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VIDEO | President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö

• Image Credits :
• Lebo Tshangela
• 25 April 2023, 07:51 [SAST]

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts his Finland counterpart Sauli Niinistö at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to discuss current geopolitics.

Trade and investment, renewable energy and information technology are expected to dominate their talks. The Finnish President is in South Africa on a state visit at Ramaphosa’s invitation.

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