Executive Director of UNFPA Diene Keita to visit Turku: Meeting with Minister Tavio to discuss reproductive health and international corporate responsibility

Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Diene Keita will visit Finland on 26 February. Executive Director Keita will meet with Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio in Turku and learn about Finnish medical technology and pharmaceutical industry expertise.

Minister Ville Tavio and Executive Director Diene Keita will visit Bayer’s production facilities in Turku. They will also learn about the diagnostics and screening technology being developed by Revvity and about the Women’s Health Hub Finland network.

The visit will highlight Finland’s and UNFPA’s long-standing partnership and the growing role of the private sector in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights globally.

In their meeting, the Minister and Executive Director will discuss UNFPA’s current topics, such as UN reform, humanitarian needs and issues relating to population trends.

Finland’s accession to the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business (CRJB) as its first public sector member will be confirmed as part of the meeting. The CRJB promotes responsible business practices and encourages businesses to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights at the workplace, in their supply chains and in their social impact efforts.

“Finnish health technology and our pharmaceutical industry can offer concrete solutions to improve the health of women and families globally,” Minister Tavio said.

Women's Health Hub Finland, located in Turku, brings together businesses, research organisations and innovations focused on women’s health. The hub's members are developing solutions for reproductive health, prenatal care, gynaecological diagnostics and digital health services. Women’s Health Hub Finland embodies the strengths of Finnish research, innovation and business cooperation and offers opportunities for new international partnerships.

Bayer’s production facility for hormonal contraceptives in Turku is a key link in UNFPA's global supply chain. Cooperation with the private sector supports the availability of high-quality and safe contraceptives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It also supports UNFPA’s work to prevent unwanted pregnancies and improve maternal health.

Finland’s core contribution to UNFPA was EUR 25 million in 2025. The priority areas for Finland’s development policy include promoting the rights of women and girls, improving the availability of healthcare services and strengthening sustainable and responsible partnerships.