Search

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

23.6.2021 | Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen has allocated nearly three million euros towards developing cultural tourism. This appropriation will contribute to the objective in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin to boost cultural tourism. The objective is linked to promoting the conditions for the creative industries to operate. The appropriation will also support culture ...

1.2.2021 | Finland proposes listing a set of 13 sites representing Alvar Aalto’s humane architecture as a cultural heritage site on the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The holy place of worship of Ukonsaari by the Saami people in Inari will remain on the list of sites on the national tentative list.

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.

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.

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.

23.6.2021 | Knowledge, techniques and skills related to hand-made glass are being prepared to be submitted to the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Besides Finland, the multinational application coordinated by France includes Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic.

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.

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.

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.