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Progress of the government action plan to combat racism The government action plan to combat racism and promote equality implements the policies set out in the equality statement issued by the Government. The selected measures are based on an asse...

MSC 108/20/Add.1 Annex 12, page 1 I:\MSC\108\MSC 108-20-Add.1.docx ANNEX 12 RESOLUTION MSC.560(108) (adopted on 23 May 2024) AMENDMENTS TO PART A OF THE SEAFARERS' TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING (STCW) CODE THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,...

10.7.2026 |  In May, 41 OSCE participating States, including Finland, invoked the Moscow Mechanism in cooperation with Ukraine to investigate militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation.  According to the report published at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 9 July, Russia has sought to erase the Ukrainian national identity of these children and reinforce Russian State-approved narratives.

25.2.2026 | Statement by Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara at the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council's 61st session

3.5.2026 | World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on 3 May. The day reminds us of the importance of free and independent media as the foundation for democracy, the rule of law and an open society. Finland promotes media freedom, which is fundamental to freedom of speech and expression, as part of its foreign and security policy.

5.3.2026 | Annika Mikkonen, 18, will step into Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s role on Thursday 5 March 2026 as part of the Girls Takeover event organised by Plan International. As Prime Minister, Mikkonen wants to focus especially on eradicating violence against women.

3.12.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has published the Non-Violent Childhoods Action Plan for 2026–2033 aimed at preventing all forms of violence against children. The plan, which will be implemented at the government level, is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Lanzarote Convention and national statutes that require all forms of violence against children to be combated.

5.9.2024 | On 5 September, the Government adopted a resolution on an action plan for combating racism and promoting equality. The action plan elaborates on the statement on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society, which the Government submitted to Parliament on 31 August 2023.

7.7.2025 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a written warning in accordance with the Act on Public Officials in Central Government to the Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Lisbon, Ambassador Titta Maja-Luoto, on 7 July.

15.3.2024 | Allegations made about inappropriate conduct in the Finnish Foreign Service have recently been debated in public. All allegations of inappropriate conduct, harassment and sexual harassment are taken seriously and investigated, says Under-Secretary of State Pekka Puustinen.

6.2.2025 | The Government adopted a resolution on the Government Action Plan for Gender Equality 2024–2027 at its session on 6 february 2025. The Action Plan contains 50 measures, and it has a strong emphasis on the prevention of violence against women. The Action Plan is based on the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government.

27.8.2024 | The campaign against racism, carried out as part of the Government’s statement on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination, invites all communities, companies, associations and organisations to build an equitable Finland free of racism through concrete measures.

16.9.2024 | A good working life is the cornerstone of society. Ensuring health and safety at work is an important prerequisite for a good working life. The policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work until 2030 entitled ‘Safe and healthy working conditions and work ability for everyone’ defines the objectives and priorities concerning health and safety at work in Finland.

7.7.2023 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has revised its guidelines on addressing abuse and misuse. “Development cooperation is closely monitored and there are clear procedures for handling suspected abuses,” says Ramses Malaty, Director of the Unit for Administrative and Legal Development Cooperation Matters.

21.3.2024 | Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz spoke at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs Forum in Helsinki on 20 March 2024

15.12.2023 | Minister Tavio's opening remarks in United Against Corruption -seminar Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 15.12.2023 10.00 Type: Speech Esteemed participants, Risk management has become an integral part of everyday work for private and ...

21.12.2022 | The amended provisions on sexual offences in the Criminal Code will enter into force on 1 January 2023. The reform aims to strengthen everyone’s right to sexual self-determination and the protection of personal integrity.

10.3.2023 | Consultation of civil society has become an established part of Finland’s preparations for the sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. The views of civil society support the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in its work to promote human rights. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto discussed with a broad spectrum of the Finnish civil society members in February before the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

15.3.2022 | The secretariat of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations has been contacted a number of times regarding hate speech and harassment directed towards Russian speakers living in Finland. The Advisory Board condemns all racism, hate speech and other harassment against people of Russian origin, Russian speakers and people from the former Soviet Union in Finland. Adults are responsible for ensuring that there is zero tolerance for intimidation and bullying against children and young people.

8.3.2022 | Democracy is eroded every time a woman or girl faces harassment, hate speech or online violence. Thus, the strengthening of democracy requires also the strengthening of gender equality.

3.5.2022 | In May, the Ministry of Justice will organise an international webinar to share information on the practices of restorative justice in addressing hate crimes and hate speech.

26.1.2021 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared a comprehensive action plan to prevent bullying, teasing, violence and harassment in schools and educational institutions. The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health formulated the measures for the action plan.

24.5.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has submitted the draft equality and non-discrimination action plan for rescue services for statements. The aim of the action plan is rescue services that actively and systematically promote equality in the long term. The draft action plan will be out for comments from 24 May to 30 June 2021.

19.5.2021 | Human rights defenders play an important role in strengthening democracy-building and in supporting sustainable development. At the same time, however, human rights defenders continue to be subjected to sanctions, which are getting even tighter. The shrinking space of civil society and restrictions on freedom of expression threaten the position of human rights defenders. At an event in April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto exchanged views with women human rights defenders (WHRDs).

7.3.2022 | Dear audience, ladies and gentlemen

11.2.2021 | Employers should support an employee who is subject to online targeting and shaming on social media or otherwise because of his or her duties. In addition, the police must ensure uniform practices in the investigation of online targeting and shaming. This will improve the position of the victim and safeguard legal protection, says the Ministry of the Interior's working group.

17.6.2022 | Prime Minister Sanna Marins gave a speech at the celebration of the Sámi Parliament’s parliamentary. Term check against delivery.

17.5.2021 | The Foreign Ministry’s campaign is part of the global Generation Equality initiative. Finland is one of the co-leaders of the Action Coalition that is responsible for Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality. As a country that is known for gender equality and technological expertise, Finland can set an example in promoting equality in the tech sector.

1.12.2021 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted EUR 17.82 million to international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) for 2022–2024. Support was granted to 11 international human rights organisations operating in developing countries, whose work focuses on four themes: ending impunity; supporting human rights defenders; strengthening the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights and addressing discriminatory practices; and business and human rights.

14.12.2021 | Finland has chaired the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in 2021. The Chairship culminated in a Ministerial Meeting on the state and future of an open and safe internet in December, hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

22.1.2021 | Nordic Joint Statement Issued by Minister Haavisto on the occasion of Arria formula meeting in UN Security Council Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 22.1.2021 14.55 Type: Speech Nordic Joint Statement Issued by Minister for Foreign Aff...

9.2.2021 | UN Committee on the Rights of the Child underlines the primacy of the child’s best interests in a Finnish asylum case Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 9.2.2021 10.36 Type: Press release On 4 February 2021, the UN Committee on the Righ...

22.11.2021 | In January 2022, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will open a call for proposals for project support available for Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs). The application period will be open from 24 January to 4 March 2022. During that time, applications can be submitted for discretionary government grants for development cooperation projects in 2023–2026. The actual call for applications toget...

3.2.2021 | A new Strategic Communications Team has been appointed at the Communications Department of the Prime Minister’s Office. The five-person team will be responsible for the Finland Forward psychological resilience campaign launched during last spring’s state of emergency and will support the authorities in preparing for and responding to information influence activities.

22.2.2021 | Madam President, Madam High Commissioner,  Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

24.1.2022 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs opens call for proposals for project support for Finnish CSOs’ development cooperation projects for 2023–2026. The application period is open from 24 January to 4 March 2022. Provisionally, approximately EUR 21 million will be allocated during this application round for use in 2023–2026.

27.2.2023 | Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto at the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council's 52nd session on 27 February 2023.

7.3.2022 | Dear audience, ladies and gentlemen

22.2.2021 | Madam President, Madam High Commissioner,  Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

17.1.2017 | Hallituskausi_2011-2015_fi-en.tmx Neuvottelutulos hallitusohjelmasta PROGRAMME OF THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT Avoin, oikeudenmukainen ja rohkea Suomi An open, fair and confident Finland Jyrki Kataisen hallituksen tavoitteena on välittävä ja menestyvä S...

17.1.2017 | Hallituskausi_2011-2015_fi-en.tmx Neuvottelutulos hallitusohjelmasta PROGRAMME OF THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT Avoin, oikeudenmukainen ja rohkea Suomi An open, fair and confident Finland Jyrki Kataisen hallituksen tavoitteena on välittävä ja menestyvä S...