Search

19.2.2021 | The UN Environment Assembly UNEA-5 brings together the UN Member States and representatives of the business sector and civil society organisations to a session conducted virtually on 22-23 February. The themes of the meeting are the role of nature in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals and green rebuilding and sustainable recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

13.12.2021 | Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

3.6.2026 | In their declaration, the European ministers responsible for forests committed to strengthening the role of sustainable forest management in safeguarding the future of Europe’s forests amid rapidly changing environmental, economic, social and geopolitical conditions. In addition, at their meeting in Stockholm on 2–3 June 2026, the ministers reaffirmed their support for the recovery and sustainable management of Ukraine’s forests and the rebuilding of its forest sector.

7.1.2026 | Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.

2.7.2025 | The European Commission has published a legislative proposal on the emission reduction target for 2040. The Commission proposes a net emission reduction target of 90 per cent by 2040 compared to the 1990 levels.

1.4.2026 | The For Forest Group+ of forested EU countries has again grown stronger as Germany joined the group at the meeting held in Sweden on 31 March–1 April. The topics discussed by the ministers included the EU Deforestation and LULUCF Regulations, the Birds Directive, and the development of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management.

5.11.2025 | Minister Multala: It is most important that we were able to reach an agreement, even if many of the details remained to be decided later.

28.11.2025 | With the aim of strengthening Finland’s economic growth, speeding up investments and improving employment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has prepared a growth and employment package in line with the Government’s decisions. The package will be funded by redistributing unused funds from the investment aid programmes in the branch of Government of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The estimated total amount of funds will be EUR 156 million.

5.3.2026 | March 2026 1 Finland simplification proposals Contents 1. Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) (EU) 2023/1791 ................................................. 3 2. Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) (EU) 2022/2577 ....................................

27.8.2025 | The Canadian province of Québec and Finland are deepening their collaboration in the forest sector. They have signed a declaration of intent to improve the conditions for commercial and research collaboration in forestry and bioeconomy.

5.8.2025 | Representatives of UN Member States will negotiate on the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland on 5–14 August. The negotiation situation is very challenging, and there is also an increasing political pressure to reach an agreement. The demanding foreign policy situation has also made the negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty more difficult.

26.6.2025 | Minister for European affairs and ownership steering Joakim Strand spoke at the EU Arctic Forum 26 June 2025, Kittilä, Finland. Check against delivery.

13.6.2025 | In its meeting on Friday 13 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the Commission’s plans to phase out energy imports from Russia, the Commission’s communication on artificial intelligence and its proposal regarding the Asylum Procedure Regulation. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement.

9.3.2026 | Finnish consumers are increasingly ordering low-cost goods online, mostly from manufacturers based in China. Based on the proposals of a recent report, the Government will begin to prepare legislation to address problems caused by these cheap imports. There is also emphasis on consumer responsibility.

4.7.2025 | In its meeting on Friday 4 July, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the Commission’s proposal to simplify regulation for businesses and received an update on the preparation of a plan for affordable housing in the EU.

22.5.2023 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is a main partner of the World Village Festival taking place on 27–28 May in Suvilahti, Helsinki. This year’s festival theme is "Force for Change!".

21.5.2025 | English Style Guide A handbook for translators, revisers and authors of government texts Prime Minister’s Office, Finland ENGLISH STYLE GUIDE | PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, FINLAND | 2025 2 Contents Quick reference guide .................................

11.10.2024 | The EU environment ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 14 October. The topics include the negotiation objectives of the EU for both the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in October and UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November. The ministers will also exchange views on the progress of the UN Plastics Treaty and on the EU Chemicals Strategy. Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen will represent Finland in Luxembourg.   

21.5.2025 | English Style Guide A handbook for translators, revisers and authors of government texts Prime Minister’s Office, Finland ENGLISH STYLE GUIDE | PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, FINLAND | 2025 2 Contents Quick reference guide .................................

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

5.11.2024 | In their meeting on Tuesday 5 November, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation at the eastern border and in the sea area, held a preparatory discussion on the priorities of civilian and military intelligence for 2025 and discussed Finland’s objectives for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).

27.8.2025 | "I’m glad to see strong momentum for Nordic cooperation. Our goal is a united and strong Nordic region that benefits us all."

25.8.2025 | "Finland is advancing the interests of Finland and Finnish businesses in a proactive and forward-looking way, also in the midst of ongoing changes."

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.

30.11.2023 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will open the Finland Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai on 1 December. This is the first time that Finland will have its own national pavilion in connection with the conference. The programme at the pavilion will highlight Finnish climate solutions, such as clean energy innovations.

30.11.2023 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will open the Finland Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai on 1 December. This is the first time that Finland will have its own national pavilion in connection with the conference. The programme at the pavilion will highlight Finnish climate solutions, such as clean energy innovations.

30.11.2023 | Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Dubai in the United Arab Emirates 2–4 December. Minister Tavio will attend events organised as part of the UN Climate Change Conference and meet ministers from other countries and representatives of businesses and international organisations.

10.11.2021 | Finland participates in six transport initiatives adopted at the Glasgow Climate Change Conference. Countries make commitments to reduce emissions on the road, at sea and in the air. Most of these declarations were published on the Transport Day on 10 November 2021.

21.8.2024 | For Forest+ is a group dedicated to advocating for the interests of the forested Member States within the EU. Ministers from the group’s member states – Austria, France, Slovenia and Sweden – and their representatives visited Finland on the invitation of the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah between 20 and 21 August 2024. During their visit, the ministers discussed next st...

1.12.2023 | Action Over Words – Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the opening of the COP28 Climate Conference Finland Pavilion, 1 December 2023. Subject to changes.

5.12.2023 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will organise two side events and act as a partner in several other events at the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai. The programme themes are sustainable food systems, climate change adaptation and low-carbon construction.

18.10.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met in Helsinki on Friday 18 October. The prime ministers discussed Ukraine’s needs and Finland’s support, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

1.12.2023 | Action Over Words – Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the opening of the COP28 Climate Conference Finland Pavilion, 1 December 2023. Subject to changes.

7.5.2021 | Global megatrends such as digitalisation, ageing population and climate change pose long-term challenges to the Nordic welfare model. The extensive research project carried out by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the research institute FAFO delved into the future of work in the Nordic countries. The final report of the project was published on 7 May 2021. The employment ministers from the Nordic countries will discuss the report’s themes at their informal video meeting on 2 June 2021.

13.11.2023 | Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist will participate in the ministerial session of the Youth Forum to be held in Paris on 14–15 November 2023. The Youth Forum will take place during the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO. The aim is to make young people's voices heard and to discuss solutions to improve their wellbeing in the context of climate change impacts.

3.9.2024 | The 2025 budget proposal of Prime Minister Orpo's Government bolsters conditions for economic growth. Economic growth driven by the private sector will also serve to secure the financing base for central government finances. The fast-acting measures to curb indebtedness that were decided on due to the difficult situation in central government finances will move forward.

2.6.2021 | At their video conference on 2 June 2021, the Nordic ministers of employment will exchange views over the findings of the extensive Future of Work research project. The final report of the project found that, in the long term, the Nordic welfare model will be challenged by global megatrends such as digital transformation, the ageing of the population and climate change.

25.8.2025 | Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 25 August 2025. Speech to be checked against delivery.

2.12.2023 | Inflation, disruptions of raw material supply, extreme weather events and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine aggravate the food security situation in East Africa. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland will invest in the ARCAFIM programme to boost the agricultural productivity in the region and improve food security. The programme will also create new jobs and improve the living conditions of up to 1.5 million people. Private sector financing will account for half of the programme’s funding.

20.2.2024 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit New Delhi, India, on 21–22 February. She will attend India’s most important foreign and security policy conference, the Raisina Dialogue. The visit will take place within the framework of co-operation between the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8).

25.10.2023 | In its meeting on 25 October, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs decided on Finland’s positions for the October European Council and Euro Summit and outlined the Government’s priorities for the European Commission’s 2024 work programme.

15.1.2023 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari visits Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on 16 January and attends the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

31.1.2023 | Researches and other experts are invited to submit abstracts of their speeches and presentations in the SIWI Seminar Series ‘Innovation and geopolitics’ during the World Water Week in Stockholm. The World Water Week will be held from 20 to 24 August, and the call for abstract submissions will be open until 17 February.

7.10.2022 | The Horn of Africa is battling with a historic drought that threatens the lives of millions of people. More funding is urgently needed for both emergency relief and long-term solutions. Finland, too, has increased its support to the region.

1.11.2022 | In their meeting in Helsinki on Tuesday 1 November, the Nordic prime ministers conveyed a strong message that Russia’s war has permanently changed the Nordic region and that the countries’ common objectives will better prepare the region to operate in the changed environment. The Nordic region aims to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.

27.10.2023 | The European Union will continue to provide strong military, financial, economic and diplomatic support and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The EU leaders decided on the matter on the closing day of the European Council held in Brussels on 26–27 October. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting.

14.7.2023 | Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz met in Berlin on Friday 14 July. Their meeting focused on European security and on developing trade and economic relations between Finland and Germany.

9.5.2022 | Last year, Europe Day marked the start of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Its goal has been to hear what kind of hopes and expectations EU citizens have for the Union in the different corners of Europe. I am pleased that so many Finns have participated in the conference in different ways. I would like to thank everyone who has participated.

31.5.2022 | The high-level UN meeting Stockholm+50 will be held in Stockholm, Sweden on 2–3 June 2022. The meeting will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first UN conference on the environment, assess the environmental actions taken in the past 50 years and present concrete recommendations to improve the state of the environment.

1.3.2022 | As the impacts of climate change expand, the need for adaptation measures, and for international funding for adaptation, will increase. Finland supports the Adaptation Fund, which operates under the Paris Agreement and funds concrete projects that help the most vulnerable people in developing countries.

23.11.2022 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit London on 24 November. Minister Skinnari will meet the United Kingdom’s Minister of State at the Department for International Trade Greg Hands and Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Andrew Mitchell.

22.4.2022 | International actors are focusing on life-saving measures in preparation for a conference on drought in the Horn of Africa arranged for 26 April. Half of the population of Somalia needs humanitarian support due to a drought affecting the entire country coupled with ongoing conflict.

14.10.2022 | EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 17 October. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the meeting.

18.9.2023 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet on Tuesday 19 September in Brussels. Their agenda will include discussing Spain's request to amend Regulation No 1/1958 (the EU language regulation), preparing for the European Council's October meeting, and continuing the GAC’s rule of law dialogue. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz will represent Finland at the meeting.

12.5.2022 | At its session today, the Government approved the proposal for the new Nature Conservation Act, which will now be submitted to Parliament. The new legislative proposal is based on the present Nature Conservation Act, which has been updated and new provisions and entirely new chapters are also proposed to be included in the Act. These include provisions on voluntary ecological compensation, threate...

17.5.2023 | The European Commission provides technical support to reforms in EU Member States with a special focus on making public administration fit for the future and adaptable to change. The Technical Support Instrument (TSI) 2024 Call is now open. The national deadline for submitting requests for support is 20 October 2023.

5.11.2021 | At the Climate Change Conference today, Finland signed the Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints. This is the first international commitment concerning responsible use of water. Water is in a key position in climate change adaptation, as well as in the mitigation efforts Finland was asked to sign the declaration as one of the leading countries in water responsibility.

24.1.2023 | The Arctic region underwent a fundamental shift after Russia launched its war of aggression in Ukraine, putting Finland’s Arctic policy in an unprecedented situation. As part of its work to build a new Arctic policy, Finland is organising an event under the header ‘Changes in the Arctic – how do they affect Finland’s Arctic policy?’ on 31 January at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, Norway.

18.10.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 20–21 October. Topics on the agenda will include Ukraine, energy, economic issues and external relations. The EU leaders will continue the discussion they began at the informal European Council on 7 October in Prague about the effects Russia’s war of aggression is having on the energy crisis and the economy in Europe.

17.6.2022 | EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on Monday 20 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the meeting. The main themes on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council will be the Horn of Africa, EU relations with Egypt and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Ministers will also have a discussion on the Persian Gulf.