New Ambassadors to Madrid, Abuja and Bogotá
At the presidential session on Friday 26 March, the President of the Republic appointed three new Ambassadors.
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Sari Rautio to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Madrid, starting on 1 September 2021. Rautio will move to Madrid from the Ministry, where she has worked as Director of the Unit for Security Policy and Crisis Management since 2018. Before that she has held various positions in the Political Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and in Finland's missions abroad. In 2015–2018, she worked as Director of the Unit for European Common Foreign and Security Policy in the Ministry; in 2012–2015, as Finland's representative in the EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS) in Brussels; and in 2010 and 2012, as Adviser to both the Under-Secretary of State for political affairs and to the Director General of the Political Department. Her posts in the Diplomatic Service include service in Moscow and Addis Ababa. Rautio joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 2001. She holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences.
Photo: Kimmo Räisänen
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Leena Pylvänäinen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Abuja, starting on 1 September 2021. Pylvänäinen will move to Abuja from the Ministry, where she has worked as Director of the Unit for Arms Control since 2017. In 2015–2017 she headed the European Common Foreign and Security Policy Team and, in 2005–2008, the Persian Gulf Team. Her experience of work in the Diplomatic Service includes posts in The Hague, Berlin, Bucharest and the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN in New York. Pylvänäinen joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1998. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences.
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Antti Kaski to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Bogotá, starting on 1 July 2021. Kaski will transfer to Bogotá from Berlin, where he has served as Deputy Head of Mission since 2017. In 2015–2017, he worked as Director of the Unit for Policy Planning and Research. In the Diplomatic Service, he has held posts in Berlin, Geneva, Brussels and Vienna. Kaski joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1998. He holds a Doctor's degree in Social Sciences.
Inquiries:
Kirsti Pohjankukka, Director General for Human Resources, tel. +358 295 350 038