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21.5.2021 | On 17 May, the European Commission published a communication on promoting a sustainable blue economy in the EU. The Communication sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy. A sustainable blue economy is a fundamental part of the broader European Green Deal, which is indispensable for the future of Europe. Sustainable blue economy is not possible without clean and healthy oceans and seas.

26.10.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin spoke at World Heath Summit in Berlin on 26 October 2021. Changes possible during the speech.

26.10.2021 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin spoke at World Heath Summit in Berlin on 26 October 2021. Changes possible during the speech.

10.12.2021 | Recognising that the success of businesses is vital for the wellbeing of society, the Finnish Government is outlining measures that will encourage companies to build their business, employ people, and invest. Government resolution on entrepreneurship outlines objectives and measures aiming to create favourable conditions for businesses. 

18.3.2021 | On 18 March, the Government granted Naantali and the Kemi-Tornio region EUR 600,000 and EUR 1.1 million, respectively, for the management of sudden structural changes. At the same time, the Lahti region was granted the remaining portion of the EUR 1.065 million additional funding already proposed to it. In addition, South Finland and Western Finland received funding to develop the international capabilities of SMEs.

11.3.2021 | Mika Nordman has been appointed Director (Digital Services) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for a term of five years starting on 1 April 2021. The Government decided on the appointment on 11 March 2021.

16.6.2021 | The Prime Minister’s Office sent a draft of its action plan for maritime policy for a broad round of consultations on 16 June 2021. The purpose of the action plan is to develop and coordinate Finland’s maritime policy and to implement the maritime policy objectives set in the Government Programme.

9.10.2023 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2024 budget proposal is EUR 8.0 billion, which is EUR 274 million more than in the 2023 Budget. The budget proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government by raising the level of education and competence of the entire population. The measures in the budget proposal aim to strengthen the effectiveness of science and improve the conditions for conducting research and development.

3.3.2022 | On 3 March, the Government adopted a decision on the action plan for Finland’s maritime policy. The plan includes 44 concrete measures for all maritime sectors. The action plan places particular emphasis on protection of the seas, the maritime cluster and marine production.

4.10.2021 | On Monday 4 October, Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met in Helsinki to discuss topical EU matters. After their bilateral meeting, Marin and von der Leyen visited the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, where they learned about a project related to the priorities of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. In connection with the visit, the Commission published a positive assessment of Finland’s plan.

17.11.2022 | The Government has adopted a resolution on the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy for 2022–2025. The Strategy sets out the strategic counter-terrorism objectives and actions and supports sustained and broad cooperation among all those involved in counter-terrorism. This is an update to the previous strategy and it does not contain any significant new strategic guidelines.

18.10.2021 | In their meeting in Luxembourg on 19 October, the General Affairs Council will discuss the preparations for the October European Council, the annual rule of law dialogue and the Conference on the Future of Europe. Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

8.9.2021 | Finland supports the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) by EUR 3.6 million between 2021 and 2023 to develop value chains in sustainable forestry, mining and circular economy and to create jobs in developing countries. The project also includes a section strengthening the position of women and promoting gender equality in the work of UNIDO. The agreement was signed in Vienna on 8 September.

22.8.2023 | Changes in working life challenge OSH enforcement. In addition to the prevention of accidents, occupational diseases and other health hazards caused by work, OSH enforcement plays an increasingly important role in ensuring a fair working life.

25.8.2023 | The Research Council of Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland have granted funding for nine research projects within a call for applications that was launched under the Academy Programme for Development Research, DEVELOP2. The programme provides funding for multidisciplinary and problem-driven research that describes and interprets dimensions of development, helps understand obstacles to development and finds ways in which those obstacles can be removed.

12.1.2021 | The working group that prepared the Architectural Policy Programme has considered how the Finnish architecture and built environment will be able to respond to the great societal challenges. Climate change, population ageing, urbanisation, new technologies and internationalisation are challenges, but they can also be seen as opportunities. The aims of the programme include more flexible use of buildin...

7.12.2021 | Digitalisation, new forms of working, growing skills requirements and demographic change require an even better integration policy. The Nordic ministers responsible for integration will discuss integration at a virtual meeting organised by Finland in its role as President of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

28.2.2022 | Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto at the UN Human Rights Council, 49th session High-Level Segment on Monday 28 February 2022

23.5.2024 | On 23 May 2024, the Finnish Government issued a new resolution on ownership policy. It directs the State’s actions in its capacity as a shareholder and applies to all limited liability companies in which the State holds interests and to all ministries whose duties include ownership steering.

27.8.2024 | Speech by Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 27 August 2024. Check against delivery.