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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.

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.

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

26.9.2025 | The Finnish Internet Forum will again address current issues in digital development. This year’s agenda includes the resilience of critical digital infrastructure, the future of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and online harassment.

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.

28.5.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared a programme to advocate equity and non-discrimination in early childhood education and care, in schools and in educational institutions. The measures will be carried out over the 2025 to 2027 period.

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.

7.5.2025 | During 2025, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Artists at Risk (AR) and the City of Helsinki will implement a pilot programme to provide temporary support and protection to human rights defenders in Finland. The programme will support a three-month temporary stay relocation in Finland.

29.8.2025 | Public trust in the police has remained stable for a long time. Of those who responded to the latest Police Barometer survey, 92 per cent trust the police a lot or a fair amount. Respectful treatment of people by the police and fair police activities affect people’s trust.

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.

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.

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.

5.6.2024 | The International Labour Organization (ILO) will hold its International Labour Conference in Geneva on 3–14 June 2024. The agenda includes the protection of workers from biological hazards, discussion on the strategic objective of fundamental principles and rights at work, and decent work and the care economy.

15.7.2024 | The Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) held its 132nd session in London from 8 to 12 July 2024. Finland participated in the session for the first time as a full member since its election to the IMO Council in December 2023.

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.