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9.11.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will attend a seminar on cooperation between Finland and Estonia at the House of the Estates in Helsinki on Tuesday 15 November. Other Finnish and Estonian ministers will also attend the event.

12.9.2022 | How do we guide Finland forward in the midst of global uncertainty? Ministries’ futures review provides tools for decision-makers Ministry of Defence Publication date 12.9.2022 12.06 Type: Press release Government Communications Department, Minist...

15.9.2023 | On Friday, 15 September, the Finnish Government’s Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on the EU Regulation on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment (Taxonomy Regulation) and the Commission communication on a sustainable finance framework. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions on Spain’s request...

14.4.2023 | The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action will discuss financing the green transition and strengthening the role of finance ministries in climate work this Friday in Washington. The ministers will publish a practical guide to help ministries implement climate measures.

6.6.2022 | The high-level seminar on developing relations and opportunities for cooperation between Finland and Estonia, which was set to take place in Helsinki on Wednesday 8 June, has been postponed due to the dissolution of the Estonian government. The scheduled meeting between in connection with the seminar will also be postponed.

30.11.2022 | On Tuesday 29 November, Minister-President of Flanders Jan Jambon made a working visit to Finland focusing on innovation, the green transition, foresight, academic cooperation, data and digitalisation, and trade and investment. As European innovation leaders, Finland and Flanders are at the forefront of research and technology.

2.11.2022 | Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä will visit Germany, one of Finland’s most important trading partners, in November. During his visit, the Minister will speak at an event hosted by the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and meet with representatives of German and Finnish companies.

15.8.2022 | In their meeting in Oslo on Monday 15 August, the prime ministers of the Nordic countries confirmed that they would further develop their cooperation on defence and security. As Finland and Sweden become members of NATO, the Nordic countries will become allied partners, which opens up new opportunities for cooperation. The new security situation in Northern Europe also featured prominently in the Nordic prime minsters’ discussion with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

27.9.2022 | The absence of Russia among our trade partners will affect the lives of people and businesses in many ways.

24.5.2024 | Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz will attend the UN’s fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda on 27–29 May.

2.2.2023 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin visited Stockholm at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on 2 February. Their discussions focused on the EU economy and competitiveness, other topical EU matters, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden’s joint NATO membership process.

20.10.2022 | The Government approved an amendment to the EU regional and structural policy programme Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 concerning the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and decided to submit it to the European Commission.

23.3.2023 | The Finnish economy will return to growth at the end of the year following a mild recession, barring new surprises. However, the general government deficit will grow as rising prices begin to be reflected in general government expenditure according to the economic survey published by the Ministry of Finance on 23 March.

7.9.2023 | The purpose of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by supporting the development of critical technologies and products. Another aim is to ensure the availability of necessary labour and skills in strategic sectors. While the Finnish Government supports the facility’s objective, it does not endorse a completely new EU-level financial instrument.

8.2.2023 | On Wednesday 8 February, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs agreed on positions for the special meeting of the European Council to be held on 9–10 February and for the meetings of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) and the Eurogroup to be held on 13–14 February.

30.11.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern met in Auckland on Wednesday morning local time. This was the first ever visit by a Finnish Prime Minister to New Zealand and the first visit by an EU Head of State or Government to the country since it lifted the travel restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

9.2.2023 | Vietnam, with its nearly 100 million inhabitants, is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Keijo Norvanto, Finland’s Ambassador to Vietnam, is fascinated by the forward-looking and dynamic attitude of the Vietnamese people.

30.11.2021 | How will climate change and the green transition affect working life and the labour market? What skills will employees need in the future? Finland has drawn attention to the future of work during its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This topic was examined from the perspective of climate change at a conference held in Helsinki on 30 November 2021.

8.3.2023 | The meeting agenda will also include global health and the EU’s competitiveness. Finland is represented by the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

12.12.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend two meetings in Brussels this week: the EU-ASEAN summit on 14 December and the European Council on 15 December.

11.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave a keynote speech at a high-level seminar exploring the impacts of digitalisation on society in Tokyo on 11 May 2022. Prime Minister’s speech to be checked against delivery.

18.11.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will meet with Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir in Reykjavik on Tuesday 22 November.

16.6.2022 | “Terrafame’s battery chemicals plant is a good example of how we are developing the Finnish mining and battery industry towards production of higher value added. Finland is introducing advanced processes and technologies and improving competences in a new area that will enable a responsible green transition,” Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä said at the opening of the plant in Sotkamo on 16 June 2022.

21.10.2022 | On the first day of its meeting, Thursday 20 October, the European Council agreed on measures to mitigate the energy crisis. The EU leaders reaffirmed that, in the face of Russia’s weaponisation of energy, the European Union would remain united in supporting its citizens and businesses.

11.5.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin gave a keynote speech at a high-level seminar exploring the impacts of digitalisation on society in Tokyo on 11 May 2022. Prime Minister’s speech to be checked against delivery.

22.3.2023 | On Wednesday 22 March, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council meeting, the Euro Summit and the meeting of the EU Energy Council, and discussed the proposal for a regulation on CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles.

18.3.2022 | Spain’s recovery and resilience plan focuses on the green and digital transitions, which are also Finland’s priorities. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari, accompanied by a business delegation, will visit Madrid on 20–23 March to promote cooperation between Spain and Finland.

8.12.2022 | The outlook review by officials at the Ministry of Finance highlights measures to improve conditions for prosperity, return general government finances to a sustainable footing, reform public administration and services, and implement the green transition effectively. Corrective action must be taken quickly.

21.10.2022 | On the first day of its meeting, Thursday 20 October, the European Council agreed on measures to mitigate the energy crisis. The EU leaders reaffirmed that, in the face of Russia’s weaponisation of energy, the European Union would remain united in supporting its citizens and businesses.

20.2.2023 | A new young people’s climate change and nature group will be established under the Prime Minister’s Office. The group will be tasked to support the ministries in the planning, implementation and impact assessment of youth participation. The aim is to ensure the fairness of different policy measures from the perspective of future generations.

13.12.2022 | The Strategy on Climate and Nature clarifies the Ministry of Finance’s approach to and role in the preparation of climate and nature policies and the related influencing activities. The Ministry takes a cross-sectoral approach and uses the economic and administrative policy instruments available to it when seeking solutions.

16.9.2021 | The regional ministers of the Nordic Council of Ministers discussed multilocality and green recovery at the hybrid meeting held in Helsinki on 16 September 2021. The ministers decided to launch a research project to examine the economic, social and environmental impacts of multilocality in different regions.

1.4.2022 | Finland’s new Bioeconomy Strategy has been completed. The strategy aims to double the value added of bioeconomy in an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable manner and to make Finland climate neutral by 2035.

13.3.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 March 2024. Check against delivery.

26.4.2024 | The action plan on closer cooperation on forests and the bioeconomy between the province of Nova Scotia in Canada and Finland was signed in Helsinki on 26 April 2024. The parties to the five-year action plan are the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and the Department of Natural Resources of Nova Scotia.

15.6.2021 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit South Korea on 15–19 June.

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.

8.3.2022 | Finland wants to introduce a voluntary Green Deal agreement to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic cups and certain food packages. The aim of the agreement is to find the most effective and, from the perspective of the businesses, feasible ways to fulfil the EU obligations. At the same time, the aim is also to boost the development and creation of new solutions and business models that reduce consumption.

13.12.2022 | In its meeting today, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for the European Council on 15 December and the EU-ASEAN summit on 14 December, both of which will take place in Brussels. The Ministerial Committee was also briefed on the use of funds frozen as a result of sanctions against Russia to support the reconstruction of Ukraine.

15.2.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the sixth summit of the European Union and the African Union (AU) to be held in Brussels on 17 and 18 February.

24.10.2022 | Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine creates uncertainty for the international economy and has broad multiplier effects. Rising prices weaken consumers’ purchasing power, increase production costs and reduce willingness to invest. On the other hand, projects related to circular economy, digitalisation and clean energy solutions are progressing quickly in the regions.

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.

25.11.2022 | Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä is heading a Team Finland visit to Chile and Colombia from 27 November to 2 December 2022 to promote Finnish companies’ exports and internationalisation. A business delegation of 23 people will consist of representatives from the energy, defence, security and space technology sectors, in particular.

24.3.2022 | The Government has granted regional councils, which serve as regional development authorities, a total of EUR 33 million for regional development and promotion of contractual cooperation between the central government and regions. The funding is also intended for measures that improve the resilience of regions in the changing operating environment and in anticipation of future structural changes.

20.10.2022 | The Government session on 20 October discussed the report on Finland’s digital compass. Finland's digital compass is a national strategic roadmap extending to 2030 that provides an overview of Finland's digital transformation and provides the direction for national development work.

1.3.2023 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari led a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from 21 to 24 February. The Team Finland visit was organised in collaboration with EastCham Finland, which is a Finnish chambers of commerce focusing on the Central Asian market. Emerging economies are interested in Finnish expertise in such sectors as education, energy and the environment.

10.2.2022 | “This spring will be a critical time in building a carbon-neutral Finland. The Government’s proposals for a reformed Climate Change Act and all three key climate change plans will be finalised within the next few months,” Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari said at her briefing on climate change policy.

20.2.2023 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will lead a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan from 21 to 23 February and to Kazakhstan from 23 to 25 February. Minister Skinnari is scheduled to meet state leaders of both countries.

4.10.2021 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit France and Germany on 4–8 October 2021. In Paris, Minister Skinnari will attend the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting and meet key French ministers and business representatives. In Stuttgart, Skinnari will participate in the business forum on the future of the automotive industry. The programme includes meetings with key German companies, and decision-makers from the state of Baden-Württemberg.

13.3.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 March 2024. Check against delivery.

27.6.2022 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment requests opinions on the proposed programme, regional transition plans and environmental report of the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The Fund mitigates the socio-economic and environmental effects that decarbonisation causes to regional economies and employment in the EU. In Finland, funding will be directed at the reform of the economic structure and measu...

25.5.2022 | Under-Secretary of State Nina Vaskunlahti and Director General of Business Finland Nina Kopola will visit Kigali from 28 May to 1 June 2022. They will be accompanied by a business delegation.

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.

3.3.2022 | On Monday 7 March, Prime Minister Sanna Marin will visit Tallinn and meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. In their meeting, the prime ministers will discuss the security situation in Europe, bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia and cooperation on topical EU matters.

30.6.2022 | Finland's share of funding from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility will decrease to EUR 1.8 billion at current prices, because Finland’s economy has developed better than forecast. Finland will receive a total of EUR 2.6 billion at current prices from the programmes in the EU's recovery plan (NextGenerationEU). The Ministerial Working Group on Sustainable Growth in Finland has outlined how Finland's Recovery and Resilience Plan will be updated to reflect this change.

11.3.2022 | By the deadline of 4 March 2022, 86 applications were received in the first application round for energy investment aid under Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. The investment aid is intended for energy solutions of the future that aim to achieve carbon neutrality and improve competitiveness, among other things. The total amount of aid applied for was EUR 1.65 billion.

31.8.2021 | As part of its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021, Finland will organise the Council’s ministerial meetings. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will chair three meetings of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Sustainable Growth. The meetings of ministers in charge of economic affairs and regions will take place on 16 September, while energy ministers will convene on 17 September. All meetings will be organised as hybrid meetings from Helsinki.  

18.11.2022 | The EU General Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on Friday 18 November. Items on the agenda include preparations for the December European Council and a discussion on respect for the EU’s common values. In addition, the Commission will present its work programme for 2023. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

7.3.2023 | on March 7 2023 in Doha

21.1.2022 | The EU’s environment and energy ministers will convene in informal meetings in Amiens, France on 20–22 January 2022. Emma Kari, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, and Jukka Ihanus, State Secretary to Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, will represent Finland in the meetings hosted by France.