Marja Lehto

Since 2014, Dr Lehto chairs the Executive Board of Justice Rapid Response. She has chaired the Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER), Council of Europe (2006–2007), the working groups on sanctions (RELEX, Sanctions formation) and terrorism (COTER) of the Council of the European Union (during the Finnish Presidency of the EU 2006), and the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organisation, New York (1999). She led the negotiations on the Law of the Sea resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1998 and 1999.

Dr Lehto has served as the ambassador of Finland to Luxembourg (2009–2014), as the Director of the Unit for Public International Law (2000–2009), as a Counsellor at the permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations (1995–2000), as a Counsellor and First and Secretary Secretary in the Unit for Public International Law (1992–1995) and in the Unit for Treaty Law (1991–1992), at the Embassy of Finland in Paris (1987–1990).

Dr Lehto has participated in numerous international negotiations and conferences, including the conferences leading to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. From 2017 to 2022, she was a member of the International Law Commission.

Marja Lehto serves as president of the Finnish Red Cross since June 2026.

Dr Lehto holds a Ph.D. in international law (University of Lapland 2008), Master of Laws (University of Helsinki 1984), Master of Political Science (University of Helsinki 1989). She is married and has one son.