Search

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.

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.

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.

26.4.2024 | VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSRÅDET PB 23, 00023 Statsrådet vn.fi/sv Tfn 0295 16001 1(5) Prime Minister Orpo’s Government spending limits discussion 15–16 April 2024 Entries in the meeting minutes State of gen...

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.

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.

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.

10.1.2023 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday 17 January.

14.7.2023 | The Government appointed Counsellor Petri Hakkarainen as Counsellor for Foreign Affairs as of 1 September 2023 and assigned him to serve as Director General of the Political Department for a fixed term from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2027.

11.12.2023 | The 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 11–12 December in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Refugee Forum will be held in Geneva on 13–15 December. State Secretary Lauri Tierala will represent Finland at both events.

2.6.2023 | On 2 June, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued recommendations to Finland based on Finland's combined fifth and sixth periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto.

16.6.2023 | The UN Human Rights Council convenes for its 53rd Regular Session from 19 June to 14 July in Geneva, Switzerland.