Minister Puisto to attend European Space Agency’s Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) will meet in Bremen, Germany, on 26–27 November 2025. The Council will decide on ESA’s funding for 2026–2028 and the preliminary financial guidelines for 2029–2030. Finland will be represented by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.
The Council will adopt a political resolution and a proposal from the Director General outlining the key points of Europe’s space policy for the next decade. The priorities will emphasise sustainability, competitiveness, strategic autonomy, competence and international cooperation. The objective is to strengthen Europe’s role in space activities globally and to ensure that space investments generate extensive benefits in society. The content of the programming period is based on the ESA Strategy 2040 published this year.
“The ESA is a very important partner for Finland. Finland is committed to responsible and sustainable space activities and improved competitiveness of Europe, especially within SMEs and the new space industry. Ensuring the performance of European space systems in the Arctic region, in particular, is an important priority for Finland. The Finnish expertise in quantum technology also offers opportunities for space solutions of the future,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.
Finland has actively participated in the preparation of the policies. Within space activities, Finland’s key issues include advancing the New Space approach as well as measures supporting security and defence. Finland has also drawn attention to the special requirements of the Arctic operating environment, which should be considered already at the planning stage of the systems. Finally, Finland has promoted the internal cost-effectiveness of the ESA, faster procurement processes and better use of digital tools.
ESA funding is divided into obligatory and voluntary programmes that provide many opportunities for research and education and for companies and authorities. Finnish companies and research organisations play an active role in ESA programmes. More than 200 companies operate in the space value chain in Finland and 125 different entities have participated in ESA programmes over the past ten years. Finland joined the ESA in 1995 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in connection with the Winter Satellite Workshop event in January 2025.
Inquiries:
Janne Peltola, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7077
Kimmo Kanto, Senior Director, Business Finland, tel. +358 50 557 7852