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15.6.2026 | EU health ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) on 16 June to discuss, among others, the proposed European Biotech Act I directive and regulation and the preparedness and readiness of the European pharmaceutical industry. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

4.12.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 4 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs agreed on Finland’s positions on the deliberations for the EU pharmaceutical package. The Ministerial Committee on also outlined Finland’s positions for next week’s council meetings.

12.10.2023 | On 26 April 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a major reform of the pharmaceutical legislation, with the aim of ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products used in the EU. As a rule, the Finnish Government supports the Commission’s proposal and, on 12 October, it submitted a Union communication to Parliament concerning its position on the proposal.

31.3.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for quick decisions on EU funding when he met with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland Micheál Martin in Helsinki on Tuesday 31 March. Discussions at the meeting focused Ireland’s forthcoming EU Council Presidency, key international issues and bilateral relations between Ireland and Finland.

14.11.2025 | The President of the Republic has granted the annual internationalisation awards to three companies and one community. Orion Corporation won the 2025 Growth Company Award. The Newcomer Company Award went to Sensofusion, and Sandvik Mining and Construction was recognised as the Long-term International Investor. The year’s Community Award was granted to the Finnish Startup Community.

27.8.2025 | Finland needs more exports, investments and ambitious R&D activities to boost our economy.

6.6.2025 | In its meeting on Friday 6 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions on two proposals put forth by the Commission: one aiming to establish a common list of safe countries of origin and another to improve the availability, supply and production of critical medicines in the EU. In addition, the Ministerial Committee specified Finland’s positions on the last phase of negotiations on the EU pharmaceuticals package.

20.6.2024 | On 20 June 2024, the Government appointed a National Emergency Supply Council for the period of 1 July 2024–31 December 2026. Topi Manner, Chief Executive Officer of Elisa Oyj, was invited to chair the Council, while Timo Jaatinen, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, will serve as vice-chair. The Council will have 26 members.

8.12.2023 | Maarit Merla has been appointed Managing Director of Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd. She will start in the position on 1 January 2024. Finnish Drug Discovery Center Ltd is a wholly state-owned company with special assignment, which belongs to the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and falls under its ownership steering. The company serves universities and research institutes, operators in clinical drug research and companies in the sector across Finland.

23.11.2023 | On 23 November 2023, the Government authorised the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to capitalise Drug Development Centre Oy by EUR 20 million. The company’s task is to evaluate early-stage drug development projects and turn them into commercially viable products and companies worthy of capital investment.

1.6.2023 | On 1 June 2023, the Government decided to amend the Government Decree on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to add the National Drug Discovery Center Ltd under the Ministry’s mandate. The centre was previously under the competence of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

22.8.2022 | A recent study by Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY shows that many people still dispose of their medicines incorrectly. Particularly young people dispose of expired or unused medicines by simply binning them or flushing them down the drain. Older people, on the other hand, most often return such medicines to a pharmacy, which is the correct way. Expired and unused medicines should alw...

5.7.2023 | Laura Rissanen is to serve as State Secretary to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The minister has invited Sakari Rokkanen and Niilo Heinonen to serve as special assistants.

19.6.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 19 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the progress of Finland’s efforts to influence EU policy and ways to increase the number of Finns working in EU institutions. The Ministerial Committee also discussed the Union’s enlargement prospects and outlined Finland’s positions for upcoming meetings.

2.11.2024 | UN Biodiversity Conference COP16 ended with a skinny agreement on Saturday morning after having gone into overtime. A benefit-sharing mechanism for digital information on genetic resources (the Cali Fund) was established and the role of indigenous peoples was strengthened, but no understanding was reached on monitoring the implementation of biodiversity targets or mobilising finances. As the meeting dragged on and some of the negotiators had to go home, there was no quorum to make decisions.

1.4.2022 | Finland’s new Bioeconomy Strategy has been completed. The strategy aims to double the value added of bioeconomy in an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable manner and to make Finland climate neutral by 2035.

9.5.2022 | Finland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy on 9 May 2022. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to develop technical and economic cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector and to promote the access of Finnish companies to the Emirati market.

26.8.2021 | Finns have returned more unused medicines to pharmacies and collection points. Expired and unused medicines should be taken back to the pharmacy, as they burden the environment when flushed down the drain or thrown in trash or they may end up in the wrong hands. The two-week-long Lääkkeetön Itämeri campaign (drug-free Baltic Sea) starts today, on 26 August, when we celebrate the Baltic Sea Day.

10.5.2021 | The coronavirus epidemic has weakened the economic and employment prospects in the regions for more than a year, but the outlook is now cautiously positive. The improved expectations are driven by the assumption of a swift rollout of COVID-19 vaccine, an improving epidemiological situation and the lifting of restrictions. 

16.10.2023 | The EU ministers responsible for the environment and climate change issues will meet in Luxembourg on 16 October to discuss the EU’s objectives for the negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Dubai. The conclusions to be adopted by the Environment Council will constitute the EU’s objective for the Climate Change Conference. Finland’s representative at the Environment Council will be Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.