Heads of Finland’s missions abroad to gather for annual meeting in Helsinki

Heads of Finland’s missions abroad and foreign policy leaders will gather at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki, held at the Parliament Annexe ‘Little Parliament’ on 24–26 August.

This year's meeting will discuss topical foreign and security policy issues and explore the implications and opportunities of artificial intelligence for international relations. In addition to policy speeches by Finnish state leaders, the meeting will feature discussions on topics including comprehensive security, economic security, and the implications of the changing world order for Finland’s foreign policy and international cooperation.

The speakers at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission are President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio, Minister of Finance Riikka Purra, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand, Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto and Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz, responsible for Nordic cooperation.

Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara will chair the meeting.

"We are living in a time when multidimensional global crises are rapidly affecting security, the economy, and the stability of societies around the world. In this environment, a strong network of diplomatic missions is especially important, enabling Finland to identify changes at an early stage and respond swiftly to foreign and security policy challenges," says Permanent State Secretary Salovaara.

Follow the meeting on the Foreign Ministry’s channels

The public parts of the event will be webcast on the Foreign Ministry’s website and YouTube channel. Speeches and video recordings will be available after the meeting on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

The Foreign Ministry will post meeting updates using the hashtag #SLSK2026 on social media channels.

Photographs of the meeting will be available on the Finnish Government’s Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnishgovernment/. 

Public parts of the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission

Monday, 24 August
09.00–09.15	Opening address by Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara
09.15–09.45	Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen
10.30	Media event by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen
11.00–11.30	Speech by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio
12.15	Media event by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio
14.00–14.30	Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo
15.00	Media event by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo
15.15–15.30	Speech by Minister of Finance Riikka Purra
16.00	Media event by Minister of Finance Riikka Purra
Tuesday, 25 August
09.00–09.15	Speech by Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand
09.45	Media event by Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand
11.00–11.15	Speech by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen
11.45	Media event by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen
13.30–14.00	Speech by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb
14.45	Media event by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb
Wednesday, 26 August
09.00–09.15	Speech by Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz, responsible for Nordic cooperation
09.45	Media event by Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz, responsible for Nordic cooperation
10.00–10.15	Speech by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto
10.45	Media event by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto