UNIS/BIO/759
26 September 2005

New Permanent Representative of Finland Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 26 September (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations (Vienna), Kirsti Kauppi presented her credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna.

Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Kauppi was serving as Minister at the Embassy of Finland in Berlin, Germany (from 2003 till August 2005).

Ms. Kauppi has served in many capacities in the course of her career, including as: Head of Unit/European Correspondent, Political Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (2001-03); Advisor to the State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (2000-01); First Secretary, Embassy of Finland, Washington, United States of America (1997-2000); First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Finland to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium (1993-97).

Ms. Kauppi was transferred to the General Diplomatic Career in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1992. The other functions she has worked in include as First Secretary (Development), Embassy of Finland in Bangkok, Thailand (1989-92); First Secretary, Department for International Development Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (1986-89) and as an Associate Expert at the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland (1985-86).

Ms. Kauppi has a Master of Science (Economics) degree from the Helsinki School of Economics.

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