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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.

17.11.2021 | The Draft Program – an entrepreneurship programme by the Karelia University of Applied Sciences – was given a special mention in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). The Joensuu-based project was recognised for its innovation and creativity in disseminating local good practices to other entrepreneurs starting in the area.

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.

15.6.2021 | The Real Time Economy project will create the conditions for companies to move to real-time economy. Invoices and receipts will be electronic, for example, and business information will be automatically transferred between different systems. Up-to-date information and its automated processing will increase productivity in both companies and public administration.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

7.1.2022 | In its first meeting on Friday 7 January, the ministerial working group on COVID-19 was briefed on the epidemiological situation, the spread of the Omicron variant, the burden on and capacity of the healthcare system, and the progress of vaccinations.

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.

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.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

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.

22.6.2021 |  A glossary on integration, published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, harmonises the use of concepts related to integration, equality and discrimination. The new glossary emphasises equality and immigrants’ active role.  Instead of kotouttaminen, the glossary recommends the use of kotoutumisen edistäminen.

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.

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. 

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes that a new act be enacted on patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons. The act would lay down provisions on the organisation of the activities of patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons and their independence, qualifications and duties. The act would also include provisions on the processing of personal data. 

13.4.2023 | The new act will lay down provisions on the organisation of the activities of patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons and their independence, qualifications and duties. It will also include provisions on the processing of personal data.

18.10.2022 | The aim of this report dealing with data protection and the copyright infrastructure is to promote the development of the digital services provided by collective management organisations for copyright (CMOs). In order to use the ISNI identifier there was a need to clarify how and to what extent CMOs can supply personal data to the ISNI database and other copyright management organisations considering the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation.

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.

15.12.2021 | UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee has inscribed Kaustinen folk fiddle playing to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at its currently ongoing meeting in Paris on December 15. The Nordic clinker boat tradition, which Finland proposed for inscription together with the other Nordic countries, was also inscribed. Currently, UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage include more than 600 elements from around the world.

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.

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 ...

6.6.2024 | On 20 March 2024, the European Commission proposed a directive that would improve the working conditions of trainees and combat regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships. The proposal contains a number of provisions that would help trainees secure their rights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13.3.2023 | The European Parliament has appointed Doctor of Social Sciences Pilvi Torsti as Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF). The appointment is significant for Finland. Pilvi Torsti will take up her new post on 16 April 2023.

21.5.2024 | According to the programme of the Petteri Orpo’s Government, state capital investment activities will be enhanced by centralising them in Finnish Industry Investment Group. Since autumn 2023, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has comprehensively evaluated the various options for the implementation of corporate restructuring and has decided on a model in which the operations of Clim...

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...

6.12.2023 | The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed the knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production on the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Finland, the Ministry of Education and Culture is in charge of matters related to intangible cultural heritage and the Finnish Heritage Agency is responsible for implementing the Convention and coordinating the application processes.

8.5.2024 | The Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs met on Wednesday 8 May to discuss the development of the Schengen area. The Ministerial Committee also outlined Finland's positions for the two upcoming meetings of the Council of the European Union.

15.1.2024 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has set up a broad-based working group to prepare the reform of the legislation on the security of supply. In accordance with the Government Programme, an overall review of the legislation will be carried out during this parliamentary term in order to update regulation. The working group term extends from 15 January 2024 to 31 December 2025.

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.

11.4.2024 | The Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, was awarded the European Commission’s European Heritage Label on 11 April 2024. The European Heritage Label is granted to sites, monuments, documents or events that have a particular significance for European history, culture and integration. The label was now granted to seven applicants.

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?

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?

17.6.2021 | The entrepreneurship programme Draft Program of the Karelia University of Applied Sciences in Joensuu and the Kuopio Living Lab product development and testing service concept of the City of Kuopio are the winners of Finland’s national competition for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards.

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.