Dignitaries Attend Funeral of Former Finnish President and Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari

Over 800 guests, including global leaders from countries where Ahtisaari brokered peace, pay tribute to the late president's significant contributions to international peace and conflict resolution.

• Former Finnish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari was laid to rest in a state funeral attended by over 800 dignitaries and guests, including global leaders from countries where Ahtisaari brokered peace.
• Ahtisaari, who passed away on October 16, 2023, at the age of 86, was remembered for his significant contributions to international peace and conflict resolution, particularly in Indonesia, Kosovo, Namibia, and Northern Ireland.
• In his eulogy, current Finnish President Sauli Niinistö praised Ahtisaari as a 'great Finn' who left a lasting impact on both Finnish and international history.
• Ahtisaari's peace brokering efforts included facilitating Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo in the late 1990s, supporting Namibia’s bid for independence in the 1980s, and securing autonomy for Aceh province in Indonesia in 2005.
• After his presidency, Ahtisaari founded the Helsinki-based Crisis Management Initiative, aimed at preventing and resolving violent conflicts through informal dialogue and mediation. Despite stepping down as chairman in 2017 and battling advanced Alzheimer’s disease, he continued to work with the organization as an adviser.

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