Helena Airaksinen appointed as Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East

At its session on Thursday 22 October, the Government appointed a new Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East.

The Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Helena Airaksinen as Deputy Director General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for a fixed term from 1 November 2020 to 31 August 2024.

Before this appointment, Airaksinen served as Ambassador in Addis Ababa in 2016–2020 and, before that, as Director of the Unit for Eastern and Western Africa in 2007–2016. Her career also includes various tasks as a team leader and desk officer for individual African countries. Before her service at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Airaksinen carried out research work for the University of Helsinki and an international research institute in Africa.

Airaksinen joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1990. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Agriculture and Forestry.

Inquiries: Kirsti Pohjankukka, Director General for Human Resources, tel. +358 29 535 0038