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8.12.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) have agreed to deepen cooperation across different sectors. The cooperation emphasises support for Ukraine's international civil defence coalition. 

13.11.2025 | On 16 July, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a reform of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The reform is one of the key measures to implement the EU Preparedness Union Strategy. The Government informed Parliament of the proposal by submitting a Union communication on 13 November.

27.11.2025 | The inauguration of the civil defence coalition co-led by Ukraine and Finland will take place in Kyiv on 27 November. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the inauguration to announce Finland’s EUR 11 million funding for constructing civil defence shelters. Finland has earlier confirmed approximately EUR two million in funding for the bilateral project, which makes Finland’s total support to Ukrainian civil defence sector about EUR 13 million. 

30.10.2025 | On 30 October, the Ministerial Finance Committee decided to support a proposal to provide EUR 11 million in funding to the civil defence coalition led by Finland and Ukraine. The proposal was prepared in the administrative branch of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. The support will be channelled through the European Union’s Ukraine Facility to finance the construction of civil defence shelters.

25.7.2025 | The Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship will organise a conference on 31 July 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. The conference will pay tribute to the legacy of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in Helsinki in 1975 and highlight the role of civil society in advancing OSCE’s principles and commitments. Helsinki+50 Fund will be launched as part of the Conference to support the OSCE’s operational capacity.

19.3.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior and the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industries signed a joint letter of intent concerning cooperation on civil defence shelters on 19 March 2025 in connection with the meeting between President of the Republic Alexander Stubb and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

4.5.2026 | Prime Minister Orpo represented Finland at the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Monday 4 May. The theme of the summit was building the future through unity and stability in Europe.

26.2.2024 | In accordance with established practice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs invited civil society organisations (CSOs) to comment on Finland’s activities at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 12 February. Representatives of more than 40 CSOs participated in a discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. The discussion focused on the rights of children and the safety...

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.

27.6.2023 | The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its second regular session of this year from 19 June to 14 July. Before each session, as part of Finland’s contribution to the work of the Human Rights Council, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs asks civil society organisations for their views on Finland's priorities and objectives. Many civil society representatives again gathered at Merikasarmi, Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

9.2.2023 | Finland has around 50,500 civil defence shelters with space for about 4.8 million people. Finland has a sufficient number of places in shelters. Civil defence shelters are located in large cities in particular. The highest number of places in civil defence shelters in relation to the population can be found in the Greater Helsinki area and Pirkanmaa. This is evident in the preliminary data of the Ministry of the Interior’s report.

2.2.2023 | In the first supplementary budget proposal for 2023, the Government proposes an increase of EUR 6.9 million for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. A total of EUR 2.477 million is proposed for the police to prevent and combat youth crime. EUR 1.037 million is proposed for strengthening multi-professional and preventive Anchor work by the police. In addition, the Government propo...

22.9.2022 | Representatives of civil society organisations met at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in early September to exchange views with Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto on Finland’s objectives and priorities in the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Consultation events under the lead of the Minister for Foreign Affairs prior to the UNHRC sessions is an integral part of Finland’s preparations for its membership in the Council.

13.6.2024 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 13 June for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda include the continuation of temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing Russia's war of aggression, the implementation of the asylum and migration reform, and the EU’s common crisis preparedness. Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen will represent Finland at the meeting.

21.12.2022 | “Even though this year will go down in the history books for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have still been fortunate enough to record some favourable developments,” writes Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation to the 2022 year in foreign policy.

23.12.2022 | Finland is supporting the acute needs of Ukraine’s energy sector and green reconstruction through the new Green Recovery Programme with a total of EUR 5 million.

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.

9.1.2026 | Finland has sent material assistance to Ukraine from the EU-funded rescEU strategic stockpile for the third time. The deployment from Finland included supplies to respond to chemical, biological and radiological threats, as well as medical items.

9.6.2020 | Supporting women human rights defenders, preventing female genital mutilation, training business skills – civil society organisations promote the rights of women and girls in many ways Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 9.6.2020 13.55 T...

13.11.2025 | Nordic ministers responsible for civil preparedness or their deputies will meet in Helsinki on 13 November. This so-called Haga ministerial meeting will be chaired by Finnish Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The ministers will discuss topical issues related to crisis preparedness in the Nordic countries.