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29.5.2026 | Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will attend an informal meeting of EU ministers of culture in Lefkosia on 1–2 June. At the meeting, the EU ministers of culture will discuss safeguarding cultural rights in the digital era and preventing the illicit export of cultural goods. The themes have links to both the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the increasingly tense security situation.

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.

19.2.2026 | Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday 18 February and participated in the AI Impact Summit hosted by Prime Minister Modi on 19 February.

11.2.2026 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 245,000 customers in 2025. In addition, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,700 times over the course of the year.

25.2.2026 | Security policy topics, which have dominated international coverage on Finland since 2022, continued as the key theme in 2025. The number of news headlines about Finland was lower than the previous year, but President of the Republic Alexander Stubb assumed a significantly more visible role on the international stage. Country brand surveys indicate that Finland’s brand has become more positive, and awareness of Finland has increased since 2024.

27.11.2025 | The Government has issued a decree which determines the amount of the healthcare fee, the late payment fee and the fee for an unattended appointment charged from higher education students in 2026.

7.1.2026 | Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.

5.12.2025 | Closing statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen, delivered by Vice Minister Pasi Rajala at the Closing Session of the OSCE Ministerial Council 5 December 2025.

29.8.2025 | At the presidential session on Friday 29 August, the President of the Republic appointed Antti Kaski to serve as Ambassador in Brasília. The President of the Republic appointed Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Bern to serve as a non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein, and Head of Mission at the Embassy in Lima to serve as a non-resident Ambassador to Ecuador.

25.4.2025 | At the presidential session on 25 April, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions: Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Bern; Pekka Voutilainen, Hanoi; Jukka Siukosaari, Copenhagen; Riina-Riikka Heikka, Nairobi; Olli Kantanen, Stockholm; Eevamari Laaksonen, Pristina; Minna Laajava, Los Angeles.

5.8.2025 | Representatives of UN Member States will negotiate on the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland on 5–14 August. The negotiation situation is very challenging, and there is also an increasing political pressure to reach an agreement. The demanding foreign policy situation has also made the negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty more difficult.

23.4.2025 | If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and are not a citizen of a EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will need a residence permit for studies. Apply for a residence permit in the Enter Finland online service first and then book an appointment for identification. It is advisable to book the appointment as soon as possible, as the missions may be busy during the summer months.

25.2.2025 | Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara will visit Geneva, Switzerland, from 25 to 26 February. He will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council and to a High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament.

14.10.2024 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 15 October. The meeting will focus mainly on preparations for the October European Council. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

9.4.2024 | The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its decision today in a case brought by six Portuguese young persons against 33 states, including Finland, concerning the harmful effects of climate change. The decision is final.

16.12.2024 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 17 December. In their meeting, the ministers will continue preparations for the upcoming European Council and approve conclusions on EU enlargement. Finland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, Jori Arvonen, will represent Finland at the meeting.

30.6.2023 | The President of the Republic appointed a new Head of Mission to the Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva at the presidential session on 29 June.

26.2.2024 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Geneva, Switzerland, on 26 February. She will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

12.1.2024 | The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 15–19 January. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

11.9.2023 | The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will hold its 54th session from 11 September to 13 October in Geneva, Switzerland.