60 Years of the United Nations

A peace dove assembled from jigsaw pieces. Along the lower inner rim, the inscription "FINLAND – UN" on the left and the year of issue on the right. The artist-engraver's initial "K" appears close to the puzzle near the top of the design. The mint mark "M" is positioned below the dove.

The United Nations emerged in 1945 from the Allied powers' resolve to build a lasting international peace order after two world wars. The UN Charter, signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, established the founding principles: collective security, respect for human rights, and cooperation among states on economic and social matters. Six principal organs - including the Security Council, the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice - form the institutional framework of the organisation. What began as 51 founding member states has grown into a global community of almost 200 members today.

Finland joined the United Nations in 1955, the year a package of new member states freed the organisation from an early political deadlock. Since then, the country has engaged in multilateral diplomacy to an above-average degree: as a contributor to peacekeeping missions, as host to historic Cold War negotiations, and as a reliable contributor to UN programmes. This course reflects a national self-image grounded in neutrality, mediation and a rules-based international order. To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in 2005, Finland issued a 2-euro commemorative coin honouring this shared foundation.