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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.

26.4.2024 | On 26 April, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s priorities for exerting influence on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework and discussed the Commission communications on managing climate risks and on accelerating biotechnology and biomanufacturing. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming informal ministerial meetings.

23.9.2024 | The Ministry of Education and Culture’s proportion of the 2025 budget proposal is EUR 8.45 billion, which is some EUR 411 million more than in the 2024 Budget. The proposal implements the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, which aims to invest, even in a difficult economic situation, in raising the level of education and training and improving the conditions for conducting science, research and development.

12.4.2024 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman will attend the European Commission’s Cohesion Forum in Brussels on 11–12 April 2024. The 9th Cohesion Forum will discuss the importance of the European Union’s cohesion policy for the wellbeing of regions and their inhabitants.

8.5.2025 | The series of social security dialogues held by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Timeout Foundation brought out a wide variety of views and development suggestions from citizens on the future of social security. The outcomes of the dialogues will be presented at a webinar on 15 May 2025.

8.12.2023 | Finland will use new REPowerEU funding to speed up the transition to clean energy. The EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) on Friday 8 December.

1.4.2025 | The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis.

29.1.2024 | The REPowerEU call for applications in the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland (Recovery and Resilience Plan) has been launched. The call will close on 29 February 2024. Businesses and organisations can apply for financial support for energy investments that promote the clean transition. The call for applications includes approximately EUR 54.5 million in investment aid for projects where the eligible costs exceed EUR 5 million.

23.1.2024 | The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed international trade in agricultural products, the organisation of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, a proposal for a regulation on a forest monitoring framework and, on Finland’s initiative, large carnivore matters.

9.4.2025 | Prime Minister Orpo’s Government has set an objective of adjusting public sector activities to ensure that the national economy is on a sustainable footing. At the moment, it looks like it will be difficult to achieve this objective over the next few years though. The decision-makers in the wellbeing services counties are in a key role here. Reaching fiscal balance in general government finances is essential.

6.3.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched the TUUTTI project for security and growth through communications networks. This project will formulate national policies for developing a secure communications network infrastructure fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness through digitalisation until 2037.

6.2.2025 | The Research and Innovation Council is identifying national strategic choices for RDI policy and activities before the Government’s mid-term policy review in April. As part of the preparations, the Council will hold a consultation round from 26 February to 10 March and an open stakeholder event on 28 February 2025. In the earlier stages of the process, stakeholders emphasised the need to take a long-t...

4.12.2024 | In line with the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo's Government, Finland's Cyber Security Strategy has been revised to respond to the changed security environment. The objectives of the revised strategy extend to 2035. A strategy implementation plan has been drawn to describe the development measures to achieve the objectives. The plan was approved on 3 December 2024 by the steering group of the project developing an operating model for government security management.

5.10.2023 | The Government approved the proposal for the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. The chapter includes measures to speed up environmental permit procedures, research on clean energy and investments in the clean transition.

3.5.2024 | On 3 May, the Ministry of Education and Culture published the 2024 Bildung Review, which compiles statistical and other information on the administrative branch of the Ministry, its development and situation in international comparison. The themes for 2024 are regionality, life cycle and the fields of education and culture. The objective of the annually published review is to create an overall picture of the extensive administrative branch as a whole.

22.6.2023 | EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 26 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

5.9.2023 | Finland is using new REPowerEU funding to promote the transition to clean energy. The Ministry of Finance is requesting comments on its proposal for projects to be funded.

26.4.2023 | In future, the state will need to play a more active role in steering the economy. According to a study published on 26 April, short-term shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have required the active involvement of states to ensure the sustainability of their economies and societies.

24.7.2023 | The first stocktaking meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit held two years ago takes place in Rome on 24–26 July. Finland highlights its experiences as a frontrunner in providing school meals.

9.10.2023 | The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of EU employment and social affairs ministers is meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, 9 October 2023. The ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on issues such as mental health and precarious work. In addition, the Council seeks to reach a political agreement on a recommendation on developing framework conditions for the social economy.