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13.5.2026 | The Government proposed on 13 May 2026 that the amendments to the Driving Licence Act be adopted. For the most part, the Act will enter into force on 29 May 2026. The aim of the amendments is to improve traffic safety for young people in particular.

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.

22.1.2026 | President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded Prime Minister Petteri Orpo one of Ukraine’s highest distinctions in recognition of his work to strengthen cooperation between Finland and Ukraine and his support for Ukraine.

5.12.2025 | Finland’s national soundscape Ääniä has received recognition in a prestigious place-branding competition in London. The work, composed by Lauri Porra, was honoured in the Best Use of Design category assessing strategic country branding initiatives. The soundscape is published on music streaming platforms on 5 December 2025, just ahead of Finland’s Independence Day.

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.

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. 

14.1.2026 | Gendered vulnerabilities of boys and young men must be taken into account when planning education and health and social services. The latest report calls for a shift from gender neutrality to gender-sensitive policymaking that recognises differences between genders and identifies specific needs. It proposes that raising competence levels and preventing violence should be set as shared national goals across all work with children and young people.

15.5.2025 | In March, the European Commission submitted a proposal for a new return regulation that aims to improve the effectiveness of the return of persons staying illegally in the EU and to prevent unauthorised movements within the Schengen area. The regulation would replace the current Return Directive. The Government informed Parliament of the Commission's proposal by submitting a Union communication on 15 May.

18.11.2025 | Finland has decided to use EUR one billion in financing from the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) financial instrument to strengthen the defence industry. The plan is to use the financing for multinational joint procurement that will strengthen Finland’s ground combat capabilities and for developing drone performance capabilities in cooperation with Ukraine and its allies. The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided on the matter on Tuesday 18 November.

20.11.2025 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio's speech at UNICEF's Sustainable Stock Exchanges event on 20 November 2025 at the Helsinki Stock Exchange Building.

1.8.2025 | “The most important thing for Finland is that aid must reach the people in Gaza. This is a harrowing situation. The hostages must be released and the war brought to an end,” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasised when answering questions from the media on Friday 1 August.

27.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal to amend the Driving Licence Act. The proposal aims to improve road safety for young people. Comments may be submitted until 14 December 2025.

27.11.2025 | Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will visit New York from 1 to 4 December to strengthen partnerships between Finland and the United States in culture and the creative industries, with a special focus on visual arts.

10.10.2025 | Finland and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding on icebreaker cooperation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and US President Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding at their meeting in Washington on 9 October. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also attended the meeting. This memorandum of understanding lays the foundation for commercial agreements between the United States Coast Guard and Finnish companies.

9.12.2025 | Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, 8 December 2025.

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.

29.7.2025 | Speech by Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara at the UN Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, New York 29 July 2025.

12.6.2025 | In 2024, the total demand for travel and tourism was EUR 16.6 billion. The strategy aims to increase tourism demand to EUR 20 billion by 2028. A key to achieving this target is doubling the amount of money foreign tourists spend in Finland, compared with 2019. Growth in tourism demand must create value for travel companies, employees in the sector, local communities, tourists and Finnish society.

13.2.2025 | Minister Anna-Kaisa Ikonen represented Finland at the World Governments Summit in the United Arab Emirates. At the event, the Suomi.fi service won the Govtech Prize for Best Government Service in the World.

31.7.2025 | Opening Remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, at the Helsinki+50 Conference, held at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 31 July 2025.