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15.2.2022 | The second year of the pandemic was busy for the consular assistance services provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finland's missions abroad, and the number of customers continued to increase. In 2021, the Ministry and the missions abroad provided consular services to a total of 255,000 customers.

14.6.2021 | Finland will chair the session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 15–17 June 2021. Representatives from more than 180 countries are expected to attend the Conference, which will be held both virtually and at the UN headquarters in New York. A large number of representatives of civil society organisations and UN agenci...

The amended programme document Interreg AURORA 2021-2027 VERSION 3.0 After reallocation of Interreg NEXT Kolarctic and Interreg NEXT Karelia 1 CCI 2021TC16RFCB027 Title (Interreg VI-A) Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA) Version 3.0 First year 2021 Las...

24.3.2022 | At the end of the second coronavirus year, the views of wage and salary earners on the labour market were fairly positive, according to preliminary data from the Working Life Barometer 2021, which was published on 24 March 2022. More than 80 per cent of them felt that their capacity to work was good in relation to the physical and mental demands of the work.

21.4.2021 | The EU Member States, European Parliament and Commission reached a provisional agreement on the European Climate Law early on Wednesday 21 April. With this law, the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050 is written into binding legislation. The Climate Law also includes EU’s climate target of  at least 55% by 2030.

8.6.2021 | A group of researchers led by Professor Markus Jäntti proposes that the Government implement measures that studies have shown to promote employment. The Government will examine these proposals when it prepares employment measures to strengthen the economy.

28.10.2021 | In its session on 28 October, the Government appointed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sámi People. The work to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has continued in line with the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government. The matter has been prepared in close cooperation with representatives of the Finnish state, the Sámi Parliament and the Skolt Sámi Siida Council.

23.3.2023 | On Thursday 23 March, the Government decided on the technical General Government Fiscal Plan for 2024–2027. The General Government Fiscal Plan covers all general government finances, including central and municipal government finances, the finances of wellbeing services counties, statutory employment pension institutions and other social security funds.

12.11.2021 | Part of the Galileo satellite navigation system, the European Public Regulated Service (PRS) is scheduled to be introduced in Finland in 2024. The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on the assessment memorandum by 10 December 2021. The memorandum examines the need for amendments to national legislation to allow the introduction of the service.

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...

26.8.2022 | Keynote speech by foreign minister Pekka Haavisto at Europe Forum in Turku on 26th August 2022.

12.11.2021 | Part of the Galileo satellite navigation system, the European Public Regulated Service (PRS) is scheduled to be introduced in Finland in 2024. The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on the assessment memorandum by 10 December 2021. The memorandum examines the need for amendments to national legislation to allow the introduction of the service.

19.10.2021 | The Marine Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to promote autonomous shipping. It proposes the launching of preparations for regulations enabling autonomous maritime systems. Finland played an active role in the preparation of the decision.

6.5.2022 | Finland’s economic growth has fallen clearly behind its peers and there is a risk that the gap will widen further. The main problems are low scalability of innovations and slow productivity growth, according to the final report of the expert working group led by Pekka Ala-Pietilä, which was submitted to Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä on 6 May 2022.

23.3.2023 | On Thursday 23 March, the Government decided on the technical General Government Fiscal Plan for 2024–2027. The General Government Fiscal Plan covers all general government finances, including central and municipal government finances, the finances of wellbeing services counties, statutory employment pension institutions and other social security funds.

3.3.2022 | The Government approved the proposal for the new Climate Change Act on 3 March. The Act has been reformed to make sure that Finland’s carbon neutrality target for 2035 and other international and EU climate objectives will be reached. In addition to the carbon neutrality target, the Act sets emission reduction targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. The Act lays down provisions on climate policy plans, and the reform will extend the scope of the Act to the land use sector.

19.10.2021 | The Marine Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to promote autonomous shipping. It proposes the launching of preparations for regulations enabling autonomous maritime systems. Finland played an active role in the preparation of the decision.

30.3.2022 | Tuotteiden tulee olla kestäviä ja korjattavia, esitetään Euroopan komission kestävien tuotteiden aloitteessa. Se on yksi komission 30.3.2022 julkaisemista kiertotalouteen liittyvistä aloitteista, joilla halutaan tehdä tuotanto- ja kulutustavoistamme vastuullisempia ja kestävämpiä luonnonvarojen säästämiseksi.

12.11.2021 | A research project commissioned by the Government investigated the types of complementary migration pathways available for people in need of international protection. The main focus of the study was on labour-based and study-based complementary pathways. The number of complementary pathway programmes is growing rapidly, and they have the potential to respond to the needs of both people in need of protection and the receiving societies.

4.11.2021 | Nordic authorities and civil society actors working against trafficking in human beings will meet at a seminar in Helsinki on 18 November 2021. The aim with the seminar is to share information and expertise and thus support the participants in their work for strengthening the anti-trafficking efforts. Registration for the live-streamed parts of the seminar is open until 15 November 2021.

4.11.2021 | Pohjoismaiset ihmiskaupan torjuntatyön parissa toimivat viranomaiset ja kansalaisyhteiskunnan toimijat kokoontuvat seminaariin Helsingissä 18. marraskuuta. Jaetun tiedon ja osaamisen toivotaan tukevan osallistujia heidän työssään ihmiskaupan torjuntatyön vahvistamiseksi. Ilmoittautuminen seminaarin kaikille avoimiin, striimattuihin osioihin on auki 15.11. asti.

22.11.2021 | The Government of Finland awards the International Gender Equality Prize now for the third time. This year's prizewinner is We Will Stop Femicide Platform, an organisation that does groundbreaking work combating violence against women in Turkey and whose work has a global relevance.

13.4.2022 | This year, the economy will grow more slowly than previously anticipated in Europe and Finland. Finland’s gross domestic product will grow by 1.5% this year, according to the Economic Survey published by the Ministry of Finance on 13 April.

12.11.2021 | At the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Government commissioned a study examining the types of complementary pathways for legal migration available in different countries for use by people in need of international protection. The focus of the study was on labour-based and study-based complementary pathways. The results confirm that there is a need for legal pathways, as has been discussed in Finland, and they support the EU in seeking new solutions to migration.

15.2.2021 | This past year has reminded us all that, while the world is diverse, the human experience is universal. We have all gone through a very difficult time of global pandemic. We have also witnessed individuals in many countries raising their voices and fighting for their universal human rights.

26.8.2021 | Finland suspended its development cooperation with Afghanistan after Taliban took control of the country. However, the results of development cooperation in the past 20 years will not be lost, says Senior Specialist Merja Mäkelä.

4.11.2021 | Nordiska myndigheter och aktörer i det civila samhället som arbetar med kampen mot människohandel samlas till ett seminarium i Helsingfors den 18 november. Att utbyta kunskap och kompetens stöder deltagarna i deras arbete och stärker kampen mot människohandel. De webbsända delarna av seminariet är öppna för alla och anmälningar till dem tas emot till och med den 15 november.

20.5.2021 | The European Capital of Culture for 2026 will be selected in Helsinki at the beginning of June. The cities of Tampere, Oulu, and Savonlinna all qualified in the first round of the competition last summer and are now shortlisted for the final selection. The selection will be made by a nine-member European panel of experts, with five panel members visiting the applicant cities next week.

28.7.2021 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted EUR 17 million to international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) for 2021–2024. The support was granted to five organisations for their work on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs) worldwide, and especially in Afghanistan, and for strengthening tax transparency in sub-Saharan Africa.

11.2.2021 | Finland has published the second National Action Plan on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Action Plan will implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which entered into force in summer 2016 . 

2.7.2021 | The Ministry of the Environment sent the proposal for the new Climate Change Act out for comments on 2 July. The aim of the reform is to make sure that Finland will achieve climate neutrality by 2035, in line with the target set in the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government. The deadline for comments is 6 September.

2.6.2021 | Oulu has been selected as European Capital of Culture for 2026. The selection is recommended by a European expert panel composed of nine independent experts in the field of arts and culture. The panel, having visited the candidate cities, announced its recommendation at the end of its two-day meeting in Helsinki on Wednesday 2 June.

31.8.2021 | As part of Finland's Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, a webinar will be held from 31 August to 1 September that will focus on the rights of indigenous people with disabilities and diseases causing memory loss, and on the provision of linguistically and culturally sensitive services. The webinar seeks to raise awareness of rights, and share experiences to develop services.

24.2.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the informal videoconference of the members of the European Council on 25 and 26 February. Topics on the agenda for the meeting include the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for health threats, security and defence, and the EU’s relations with the Southern Neighbourhood. 

27.5.2022 | Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Friday 27 May 2022

28.9.2021 | The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman investigated the residence permit practice relating to victims of human trafficking. One of the key questions of the study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was how the vulnerability of victims of human trafficking has been assessed. According to the study, the assessment was diverse, but varying. Hu...

28.1.2021 | Suomi jatkaa rahoitustaan Syyrian naisten rauhanrakennukselle Ulkoasiainministeriö Julkaisuajankohta 28.1.2021 15.54 | Julkaistu suomeksi 28.1.2021 klo 16.00 Tyyppi: Tiedote Suomi on myöntänyt UN Womenille Syyrian rauhanrakennukseen miljoona euroa...

8.2.2022 | On Tuesday 8 February, the Ministerial Working Group on Coordinating COVID-19 Response continued the preparations for implementing the decisions made in the Government’s negotiations last week. The ministerial working group also decided in favour of lifting the recommendation on remote work at the end of February. Decrees on easing restaurant restrictions and extending the suspension of the use of the COVID-19 passport in its current form are under preparation.

28.1.2021 | Finland continues to fund Syrian women’s peacebuilding efforts Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 28.1.2021 15.54 Type: Press release Finland has granted a million euros to UN Women for its peacebuilding activities in Syria. The project...

21.4.2021 | The Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry. The package will help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic. The aim is to support content producers and create conditions for organisers to generate work in the sector and provide people with opportunities to participate in events when society will open up.

21.4.2021 | The Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry. The package will help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic. The aim is to support content producers and create conditions for organisers to generate work in the sector and provide people with opportunities to participate in events when society will open up.

29.4.2021 | Final Quotations for HX Fighter Programme Received Ministry of Defence Publication date 29.4.2021 13.10 Type: Press release The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has received the final quotations for the HX Programme from five fighter manuf...

28.1.2021 | Finland fortsätter att finansiera syriska kvinnors fredsbyggande Utrikesministeriet Utgivningsdatum 28.1.2021 15.54 | Publicerad på svenska 28.1.2021 kl. 16.00 Typ: Pressmeddelande Finland har beviljat UN Women en miljon euro i stöd för fredsbygga...

7.6.2021 | In the Nordic labour market service model, jobseekers would apply for work on their own initiative and receive individual and intensive support for their job search at an earlier stage. Jobseekers would be required to apply for a certain number of jobs in order to continue their right to receive unemployment security. A jobseeker would receive a reminder in the first case of forgetfulness or neglect.

26.2.2021 | The fight against disinformation is important also from the perspective of the realisation of human rights. Disinformation is a challenging issue, because it has not been defined in international law, and there is not a straightforward way to distinguish misleading information from correct information. The Finnish Coalition Chair will pay special attention to the introduction of normative instruments for internet stakeholders.

16.1.2023 | VALTIONEUVOSTON KANSLIA PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vnk.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSRÅDETS KANSLI PB 23, 00023 Statsrådet vnk.fi\sv Tfn 0295 16001 1(86) Ilmasto- ja energiasanasto 2010 12.8.2010 Esipuhe Sanaston laatiminen lähti liikkeelle ilmasto- ja e...

24.11.2020 | The Government’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided on 24 November that Finland will start using the Public Regulated Service PRS of the European Galileo satellite navigation system during 2024.

1.3.2021 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has now designated eight potential candidates for the next stage of the EU-wide selection process for European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). The role of EDIHs is to support businesses and the public sector in the utilisation and deployment of digital solutions.

22.11.2021 | Pääministeri Sanna Marin puhui vuoden 2021 kansainvälisen IGEP-tasa-arvopalkinnon julkistamisjuhlassa Tampereella 22.11. Puhe englanniksi muutosvarauksin.

25.1.2022 | The national goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2030 is achievable. This requires that the subsidies and incentives outlined in the roadmap for fossil-free transport are implemented in full and that every aspect of the emissions reduction potential is realised as expected. Measures at the EU level are also required, as is a greater obligation to distribute renewable fuels.

23.2.2021 | The research project ordered by the Government surveys what types of complementary pathways for legal migration are available in different countries for use by people residing abroad who are in need of international protection. The focus is on work- and study-based pathways. This international comparison can help to support the consideration of the need of complimentary pathways in Finland as well as the international community’s efforts to find new solutions.

18.3.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have ordered a review of the grounds on which victims of human trafficking are granted residence permits. The review will be conducted by the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman acting as the national human trafficking rapporteur. The aim is to investigate how the Finnish Immigration Service applies the special regulation of the Aliens Act to the continuous residence permit granted to trafficking victims.

25.1.2022 | The national goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2030 is achievable. This requires that the subsidies and incentives outlined in the roadmap for fossil-free transport are implemented in full and that every aspect of the emissions reduction potential is realised as expected. Measures at the EU level are also required, as is a greater obligation to distribute renewable fuels.

29.1.2021 | Request for Best and Final Offer sent for HX Fighter Programme Ministry of Defence Publication date 29.1.2021 14.15 Type: Press release The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command sent the Request for Best and Final Offer for the HX Fighter Progr...

13.12.2024 | Valtiovarainministeriö Valtioneuvoston kanslia Taloustieto Oy, Helsinki 2002 Verosanasto Skatteordlista Taxation Glossary Steuerglossar Vocabulaire de la Fiscalité 1 2 Kansi: MainosMayDay Oy, Vantaa © valtiovarainministeriö, valtioneuvoston kansli...

10.3.2021 | The birth rate in Finland decreased by one quarter in the 2010s, and our population structure is among the oldest in the world. With this in mind, a project launched by Prime Minister Sanna Marin aimed to examine reasons for the current demographic situation and to present guidelines for securing sustainable demographic development.

20.1.2021 | The working group set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture proposes policies and measures to enable Finland's arts and culture policy to take better account of cultural diversity based on immigration and to make arts and cultural life a more equitable and equal in the future. The working group was commissioned to focus especially on using arts and culture to strengthen the inclusion and participat...

24.8.2022 | Subject to changes.

16.2.2021 | A study commissioned by the Government investigated the combined impacts of the amendments made to the Aliens Act in 2015–2019 on the status of people applying for and receiving international protection and on the realisation of the best interests of the child. The decision to carry out the study was based on an objective set in the Government Programme, which states that the Government will investig...

15.9.2021 | How much does teleworking reduce emissions from transport? What about transport services or combined transport? Three studies provide new information on ways to reduce emissions.