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16.10.2024 | The Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) will convene in Cali, Colombia on 21 October–1 November 2024. The main objective of COP16 is to agree on the implementation of the global biodiversity targets and the related monitoring. Finland’s delegation will be led by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

16.5.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has published its third sustainability report. It contains information on the measures taken by the Ministry to promote the achievement of the UN’s Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in 2023. 

22.5.2025 | The efficiency of examining asylum applications will be improved. At the same time, restrictions will be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled. The enforcement of deportation decisions will also be streamlined. The Government submitted the new amendments to the Aliens Act for approval on 22 May. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 23 May, and they will enter into force on 1 June.

27.8.2025 | "I’m glad to see strong momentum for Nordic cooperation. Our goal is a united and strong Nordic region that benefits us all."

13.6.2025 | The recipients of the 2025 State Award for Public Information have two things in common: they give a voice to those often left unheard and they challenge the status quo. Their work invites us to look at the world with curiosity, empathy and a critical eye.

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

5.9.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture invites stakeholders and actors in the higher education and research sector to continue the joint discussion on the future. With a shared vision, Finland can respond to global and societal changes and shape the future we want.

7.2.2025 | The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs introduces the guidelines for sustainable meeting practices that it has updated in cooperation with WWF Finland. The principles outlined in these guidelines will be observed in all events of the OSCE Chairpersonship organised in Finland in 2025. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is committed to promoting sustainability in all events.

25.8.2025 | "We are living through an exceptionally powerful transformation on the international scene. In the current challenging operational environment, we need a strong Foreign Service to promote Finland’s interests."

14.1.2026 | Finland’s withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) took effect on 10 January 2026. The Finnish defence administration will start planning the reintroduction of anti-personnel mines into the range of Finland’s defence capabilities.

26.5.2025 | In an era marked by an increasing frequency and complexity of crises, the eight Nordic governments share a commitment to foster resilience and ensure effective civil preparedness. Leveraging our unique geographical, cultural and historical bonds, we highlight our unwavering commitment to peace, security and stability.

31.7.2025 | Closing Remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, at the Helsinki+50 Conference, held at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 31 July 2025.

16.1.2026 | The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 19–23 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the meeting.

17.11.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke at the AI Summit in Turku, Finland, on 17 November. Speech to be checked against delivery.

6.10.2025 | Biodiversity is declining in Europe. Emissions have been reduced, but the pace is not fast enough. The recent report of the European Environment Agency EEA explores the state of the environment in Europe, including Finland’s challenges and success stories. The report stresses that, in the end, all human activities depend on nature.

18.6.2025 | The Strategic Research Council (SRC) has decided the strategic research themes it proposes to the Finnish Government for 2026. Mikael Fogelholm, Chair of the SRC, submitted the proposal to State Secretary Risto Artjoki on 18 June 2025 at the Government Palace.

1.12.2025 | The EU ministers will attend the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2025. On both days, Finland will be represented by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso.

4.2.2026 | The Research and Innovation Council has kicked off the implementation of the national strategic choices for research, development and innovation (RDI) policy and activities by inviting key actors to take part in a joint discussion. The stakeholder event on Wednesday 4 February brought together business leaders, researchers, representatives of higher education institutions and research institutes ...

9.1.2026 | The Research and Innovation Council has outlined five national strategic choices for research, development and innovation (RDI) policy and activities with a view to boosting sustainable growth and promoting economic and societal renewal while strengthening comprehensive security. The Research and Innovation Council published a report on the strategic choices on 9 January.

10.2.2026 | The National Dialogues held in the autumn of 2025 talked about the Finnish concept of ‘sisu’. The dialogues highlighted that sisu is needed in Finland today, as the country is facing challenges such as the weakening of the service structures of the welfare state and changes in the security environment.