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30.1.2026 | The new European forest partnership project prepared under the lead of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry progresses. The final Grant Agreement related to the partnership is to be signed by the end of May 2026. The first call for applications for research funding should open in autumn 2026.

4.7.2025 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched an extensive package of measures that aims to strengthen forest growth and carbon sinks on a long-term basis. The package is based on the Government Programme and it will contribute to the achievement of the climate targets. The measures have been prepared in close interaction with stakeholders and researchers. Various actors in the forest sector have a key role in the implementation of the measures.

30.6.2025 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio has made a decision on funding for a cooperation project between the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Finnish Forest Centre, State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration. The project’s total budget is EUR 1.037 million in 2025–2028.

2.10.2024 | Ministers responsible for forest affairs in Europe signed a declaration on the development of sustainable forest management and decided to set up a facility that will focus on anticipating and managing the risks to forests. The declaration was signed by 35 Member States and supported by more than 20 observer organisations. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah represented Finland at the Conference, held in Bonn, Germany on 1–2 October 2024.

11.3.2025 | The webinar series of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization FAO that started on Tuesday 11 March is part of a global initiative aimed to develop forest-based bioeconomy worldwide. At the opening of the series, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah stressed the role of multilateral cooperation as we move towards sustainable forest-based bioeconomy.

21.8.2024 | For Forest+ is a group dedicated to advocating for the interests of the forested Member States within the EU. Ministers from the group’s member states – Austria, France, Slovenia and Sweden – and their representatives visited Finland on the invitation of the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah between 20 and 21 August 2024. During their visit, the ministers discussed next st...

5.2.2025 | The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO (2008–2025) has had a positive impact on forest biodiversity. This is the conclusion of the independent final evaluation of the programme. A working group of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is preparing the next period of the programme that will start in 2026.

19.1.2024 | Finland finances international forest research as part of development cooperation in the forestry sector. According to Pia Katila, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Institute Finland, multidisciplinary approach is a key to producing information to support forest policy in developing countries.

15.12.2022 | On 14 December 2022, the National Forest Council adopted Finland’s new National Forest Strategy, which extends until 2035. The new National Forest Strategy is a growth strategy that seeks growth of both forests and business and, first of all, growing wellbeing both from forests and for forests.

9.2.2024 | At its meeting on 9 February, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed the promotion of technology-neutral energy policy and the proposal on a more efficient monitoring of forest data. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming informal ministerial meetings.

7.4.2026 | The evaluation explored the objectives of the Climate Act and the means to achieve these from the perspectives of impact, cost-effectiveness and acceptability. The process was led by the Ministry of the Environment. Meeting the objectives requires additional measures, especially in the land use sector.

1.3.2023 | Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Antti Kurvinen have convened a roundtable to discuss the role of the forest sector in climate policy. The roundtable for the forest sector will meet on Thursday 2 March.

9.10.2024 | On 9 October 2024, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy discussed and supported the new outlines for the ownership policy concerning Metsähallitus for 2024–2027. Besides the reconciliation of different needs, new objectives have also been included. Among the topics concerned are the economic benefit from the operations of Metsähallitus to the State and promotion of biodiversity and renewable energy.

19.1.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met in Stockholm on Friday 19 January. In the discussions, the prime ministers highlighted issues they would like to see promoted during the next EU parliamentary term.

17.1.2024 | In its meeting on 17 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s policy priorities for the 2024–2029 EU parliamentary term. The Committee also discussed the Commission’s proposal to establish a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for the two Council meetings taking place next week.

17.1.2024 | In its meeting on 17 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s policy priorities for the 2024–2029 EU parliamentary term. The Committee also discussed the Commission’s proposal to establish a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for the two Council meetings taking place next week.

24.11.2022 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry participates in a project on preparing for a European forest partnership to promote research cooperation in the forest sector. The four-year project ‘European Forest Research and Innovation Ecosystem’ EUFORE, implemented under the Horizon Europe Programme, will evaluate and outline the research, development and innovation needs in the forest sector and provide a platform for strengthening European cooperation.

18.12.2024 | On November 21, 2024, the Scientific Café, organized by the project coordinator and national partner MMM for Finland, explored the theme “Strengthening Biodiversity in Finnish Forests". Held at the House of Science and Hope (Puistokatu 4) in Helsinki, the event took place on a stormy Thursday evening, creating an intimate café-like atmosphere complemented by coffee and light refreshments. Despite ...

30.4.2026 | Economic recovery in Finland will be further delayed as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. The general government deficit will widen and remain large according to the Economic Forecast published by the Ministry of Finance on 30 April.

3.11.2020 | Mexican and Finnish forest experts will strengthen their cooperation in forest sector. Forest cooperation between the two countries is based on a five-year Memorandum of Understanding. The parties to the MoU are the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and National Forestry Commission of Mexico CONAFOR. Topical topics in cooperation include e.g. forest inventories, drafting of national forest programmes and role of forests in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.