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19.4.2021 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland Ville Skinnari delivered the statement on behalf of the governments and peoples of 81 countries.

7.7.2022 | A new national information system for incident and accident prevention will be procured for the rescue services. The purpose of the procurement is to enhance, harmonise and make transparent the processes of incident and accident prevention, data transfer and practices in rescue services and to enable electronic services for customers. The reform aims to improve the effectiveness of incident and accident prevention and the equality among clients.

27.5.2021 | Last year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) brought sexual and reproductive health services available to 41 million women and youth. In 2021, Finland’s support to UNFPA will be EUR 33 million.

5.8.2021 | Finland has sponsored the United Nations Junior Professional Officers (JPO) Programme since 1965, encouraging young Finnish nationals to work in UN agencies and international financial and research institutions. The newly selected Finnish JPO will be posted to work in the UN Global Pulse innovation initiative.

12.8.2021 | The 2022 budget proposal of Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko implements previous Government decisions.

21.9.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal on the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, or the COVID-19 passport. It is proposed that the provisions on the EU Digital COVID Certificate be added to the Communicable Diseases Act.

8.3.2022 | Ukraine is Finland’s long-term partner country. Due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Finland grants humanitarian assistance in response to the acute distress and strengthens Ukraine’s sustainability in the midst of the war through development cooperation.

25.2.2021 | The Government submitted the first supplementary budget proposal for 2021 to Parliament on Thursday 25 February. The supplementary budget makes special provisions for needs arising from the COVID-19 situation.

25.2.2021 | The Government submitted the first supplementary budget proposal for 2021 to Parliament on Thursday 25 February. The supplementary budget makes special provisions for needs arising from the COVID-19 situation.

16.9.2022 | The high-level meetings of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77) will start in New York on Monday 19 September. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will attend ministerial events in New York and have bilateral meetings with their counterparts and with representatives of the UN. Minister Skinnari also has Team Finland programme.

2.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral group to coordinate migration to Finland following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The purpose of the group is to ensure smooth exchange of information between the different parties involved and to maintain a shared situation picture regarding the necessary measures.

5.8.2022 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of about EUR 15.8 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2023. This is about EUR 0.2 billion less than in the 2022 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to the end of the Government Programme projects and changes in the needs assessment.

13.8.2021 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of about EUR 16.5 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2022. This is about EUR 1.3 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19 to the healthcare and welfare service system. The biggest increases arise from the dismantling of the backlog in treatment and services and the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

13.10.2022 | The military coup in Myanmar last year shocked the people and stalled the country’s positive development. Despite the crisis, Pekka Shemeikka, Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy to Myanmar, sees a lot of potential in the country and its 55 million inhabitants provided that a credible way out of the conflict is found.

31.5.2021 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has launched a study to assess the benefits of Finland’s possible participation in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) human spaceflight and space exploration programme.

8.12.2022 | On her Team Finland visit, Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen will meet key authorities and companies promoting immigration of labour. A Declaration of Intent between India and Finland aimed at sustainably promoting immigration of labour will be signed on the visit. A broad delegation of companies and public administration representatives promoting immigration of skilled labour will accompany Minister Haatainen on the visit. 

18.2.2022 | The Ministry of Finance has appointed a coordination group tasked with promoting Finland's position in the preparation of the European digital identity. The term of the coordination group will run until 31 July 2023.

30.9.2021 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment appointed a new cooperation group to support the Ministry in coordinating the development and preparedness measures on security of supply at the Government level. The term of group is from Oktober 1 2021 to 30 September 2024.

28.8.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of about EUR 16.15 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2024. This is about EUR 0.4 billion more than in the 2023 Budget. The increase is mainly due to changes in the needs assessment.

15.12.2022 | Lebanon has a collapsed economy, no effective government and a high number of Syrian refugees. Despite these challenges, Finland’s Ambassador in Beirut Anne Meskanen sees a desire for change among women, children and young people in the region.

31.8.2022 | Finland is preparing for a challenging autumn and winter. Inflation, rising energy prices, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and climate change challenge society as a whole at many different levels. Good working life is one of the pillars of the welfare society. What is now required from the world of work is special capacity for renewal, the anticipation of skills needs, and flexibility and agility to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

8.9.2022 | The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is involved in funding research conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) that focuses on the health and wellbeing of people born abroad as well as services they receive. The data collected in the MoniSuomi study can be used to develop the promotion of integration and to improve the equality of the immigrant population.

15.3.2022 | The week beginning on 21 March will be Åland Week in schools. Nearly 20 partners have been involved in putting together the programme for the week, which is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office and will feature events in various parts of Finland. Åland Week is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Åland's autonomy.

13.12.2022 | How to reduce emissions from shipping? How to make the most of new technologies to make maritime transport safer? For Finland, solving these questions is crucial. And for this reason, Finland is seeking membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2024-2025 term.

13.12.2022 | How to reduce emissions from shipping? How to make the most of new technologies to make maritime transport safer? For Finland, solving these questions is crucial. And for this reason, Finland is seeking membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2024-2025 term.

26.1.2023 | The Central Asian countries are rich in extractives and renewable energy sources. Sustainable and responsible use of these resources is one of the key factors determining the future of these countries, according to Ilkka Räisänen, Finland’s Roving Ambassador for Central Asia.

12.10.2022 | Working group to develop call-up system has started its work Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence Publication date 12.10.2022 12.59 Type: Press release The Ministry of Defence has appointed a working group tasked with further investigating and ...

22.3.2024 | Finland’s support for the UNRWA is EUR 5 million annually. Ten per cent of the support will be directed for strengthening the organisation's oversight activities.

8.3.2023 | Immigration Dialogues, a series of discussions coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior, brought nearly 700 people together to talk about immigration. The discussions held in the autumn of 2022 aimed to provide people from different backgrounds with an opportunity to present their ideas and increase understanding of immigration. The final report will be published on 8 March.

22.8.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed a monitoring group for the Transport Safety Strategy. It is tasked with monitoring the Strategy's implementation and effects. The term of the group is from 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2026.

22.8.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed a monitoring group for the Transport Safety Strategy. It is tasked with monitoring the Strategy's implementation and effects. The term of the group is from 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2026.

30.4.2021 | Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru and Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist say that the Government’s decisions at its mid-term policy review session will reinforce health and social services, improve access to care, safeguard the financing and activities of third-sector operators, promote the employment of people with partial work ability, and prevent disability pensions and sick leaves.

27.1.2024 | The allegations of the involvement of 12 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack on Israel are serious. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is calling for an independent and thorough investigation of the matter.

27.1.2024 | The allegations of the involvement of 12 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack on Israel are serious. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is calling for an independent and thorough investigation of the matter.

28.8.2023 | The new Municipality of Residence Act would introduce more specific provisions on how people’s municipality of residence and place of residence are determined. The conditions for being assigned a municipality of residence would remain unchanged. A person’s municipality of residence would still be the municipality in which they reside.

25.10.2022 | Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Catherine Russell visited Finland and learned about the activities of the two UNICEF Global Innovation Hubs based in Helsinki. The Learning Innovation Hub and the Innovative Finance Hub were launched early this year.

26.6.2023 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has invited Henrik Vuornos, Kirsi Hölttä, Katri Manninen, Mikko Martikkala and Tuomas Tikkanen to serve as his Special Advisers. Jori Arvonen will serve as Orpo’s State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs. The diplomatic advisers who will assist the Prime Minister in international affairs will be appointed later.

2.11.2023 | Minister Ville Tavio's speech in FinCEED Partnership Forum Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 2.11.2023 13.16 Type: Speech Dear participants, I will start with a few points on Africa, before moving on to the subject of the learning cris...

9.3.2021 | How can waste heat from data centres be converted into heating for homes? How can a broken phone and its precious metals be returned from the desk drawer for servicing or recycling? How can information and communication technologies help in reducing emissions from transport or industry?

27.9.2021 | The 2022 budget proposal envisages a total of some EUR 1,566 million for the main title of the Ministry of the Interior. This total includes EUR 856 million for policing, some EUR 280 million for the Finnish Border Guard, EUR 87 million for rescue services and the Emergency Response Centre Administration, and EUR 160 million for immigration.

9.3.2021 | How can waste heat from data centres be converted into heating for homes? How can a broken phone and its precious metals be returned from the desk drawer for servicing or recycling? How can information and communication technologies help in reducing emissions from transport or industry?

27.9.2021 | The Government proposes appropriations of about EUR 15.9 billion for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2022. This is about EUR 1.9 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19 to the healthcare and welfare service system.

27.9.2021 | The Competitiveness Council will discuss the EU’s climate package, ‘Fit for 55', from an industrial perspective, the role of better regulation in developing competitiveness and the internal market, and the governance reform of the European Research Area. 

21.11.2024 | On Thursday 21 November, the Government submitted its proposal to Parliament to amend the budget proposal for 2025. Some items in the proposal concern the Government's EUR 4 billion investment programme. The proposal will increase the revenue estimate by EUR 67 million and the requirement for appropriations by EUR 405 million.

23.4.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2026–2029. The decisions focus on reinforcing the conditions for economic growth and enhancing the security of Finland and the Finnish people. At the same time, the Government will ensure that public finances are sustainable. The growth package will be financed responsibly through measures to increase general government revenue and reduce expenditure.

2.6.2022 | The term of the group responsible for the situational picture and modelling of the COVID-19 epidemic ends in June 2022. The situational assessment report, published every other week, has monitored the development of the epidemic and the measures taken to curb the epidemic, but it will be put on hold for now. The question of what practices may need to be adopted in the autumn will be addressed later.

12.12.2025 | Moody’s announced that Finland’s ratings are still at the second highest level, Aa1, and Finland's outlook is stable.

5.4.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2023–2026. In its spending limits discussion, the Government decided on extensive measures that will strengthen security, create a vision for the future and build sustainable growth.

5.4.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2023–2026. In its spending limits discussion, the Government decided on extensive measures that will strengthen security, create a vision for the future and build sustainable growth.

4.11.2021 | The fourth supplementary budget proposal for 2021 will reduce the central government’s net borrowing requirement for this year by approximately EUR 2.2 billion. The proposal takes into account changes in needs estimates resulting from the economic upturn and increases in tax revenue estimates. On the whole, the supplementary budget proposal envisages a reduction of approximately EUR 249 million in appropriations for 2021.

4.11.2021 | The fourth supplementary budget proposal for 2021 will reduce the central government’s net borrowing requirement for this year by approximately EUR 2.2 billion. The proposal takes into account changes in needs estimates resulting from the economic upturn and increases in tax revenue estimates. On the whole, the supplementary budget proposal envisages a reduction of approximately EUR 249 million in appropriations for 2021.

9.9.2021 | The budget proposal of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government for 2022 builds sustainable growth for the future in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The budget proposal aims to support post-pandemic recovery, accelerate investments, enable environmentally sustainable growth and increase the availability of skilled labour. The goal is to safeguard people’s wellbeing and to ensure favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth in the long term.

9.9.2021 | The budget proposal of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government for 2022 builds sustainable growth for the future in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The budget proposal aims to support post-pandemic recovery, accelerate investments, enable environmentally sustainable growth and increase the availability of skilled labour. The goal is to safeguard people’s wellbeing and to ensure favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth in the long term.

24.9.2021 | Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade will require significant changes to the way the public and private sectors allocate their investments. Finland’s sustainable financing roadmap, which will be published on 24 September 2021, will provide guidelines for the allocation of funding solutions to sustainable investments that need to be increased during this decade.

20.5.2022 | The second supplementary budget proposal for 2022 responds to appropriations needs directly caused by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and mitigates the harm caused by COVID-19 to children and young people.

20.5.2022 | The second supplementary budget proposal for 2022 responds to appropriations needs directly caused by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and mitigates the harm caused by COVID-19 to children and young people.

15.10.2021 | The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be introduced nationally. In practice, this means that in Finland the COVID-19 passport can be used in situations and premises which are subject to restrictions. In addition, the temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act which help prevent COVID-19 infections of foreign origin from spreading into Finland will remain in force.

24.5.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has submitted the draft equality and non-discrimination action plan for rescue services for statements. The aim of the action plan is rescue services that actively and systematically promote equality in the long term. The draft action plan will be out for comments from 24 May to 30 June 2021.

19.9.2022 | World leaders are meeting again in the high-level week of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. The week is an opportunity for Finland to reinforce partnerships, to emphasise the significance of the UN and multilateral cooperation in addressing global problems and to highlight themes that are important for Finland’s foreign and security policy.

9.10.2023 | The Finnish Government proposes about EUR 16.2 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2024. This is slightly over EUR 134 million more than in the 2023 Budget. The increase is due to needs assessment changes in pensions, for example, and to the implementation of reforms set out in the Government Programme.