Current Affairs
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29.10.2026
MPs visit Geneva to gain insight into challenges facing multilateral cooperation and humanitarian assistance
A delegation from the Finnish Development Policy Committee (DPC) visited Geneva on 21–23 October. The delegation, comprising six Members of Parliament (MPs) and representatives of civil society organisations, explored the future of the multilateral international system and global development challenges.
News -
29.10.2026
Finland and the US deepen cooperation in technology and critical minerals
Finland and the United States signed a Technology Prosperity Deal (TPD) on technology cooperation and a Critical Minerals Framework document to strengthen collaboration on critical minerals in Washington, DC, on 29 October 2026.
Press releases -
29.10.2026
Non-resident Ambassador appointed to Djibouti
At the presidential session on 29 October, the President of the Republic appointed a non-resident Ambassador to Djibouti.
Press releases -
29.10.2026
Finland supports UN Women initiative to strengthen women’s participation in peace processes
Finland is providing EUR 200,000 to a UN Women initiative aimed at promoting women’s participation in mediation and peace processes. Finland is strongly committed to promoting human rights and gender equality through its foreign policy and has long supported the United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security agenda.
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29.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to meet Secretary of State Rubio in Washington DC
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Washington DC on 29 October 2026 to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Press releases -
28.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to meet Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen in Helsinki
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Helsinki on 28 October. Among other topics, the ministers will discuss support for Ukraine.
Press releases -
26.10.2026
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha and Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide to visit Helsinki
Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Norway’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide will visit Helsinki and meet Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen on 27 October. The foreign ministers of Finland, Ukraine and Norway will also hold a trilateral meeting to discuss the Ukraine peace process.
Press releases -
23.10.2026
Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan
Finland joined 29 other countries and the European Union in signing a joint statement on the risk of famine in Sudan.
Statements -
23.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to meet Mongolia's Foreign Minister Battsetseg in Helsinki
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Batmunkh Battsetseg in Helsinki on 23 October.
Press releases -
22.10.2026
Finland grants EUR 8 million in humanitarian assistance for food insecurity and winter relief in Ukraine
In the remainder of 2026, Finland will grant a total of EUR 8 million in humanitarian assistance to address crises in Ukraine, South Sudan, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. As a result, Finland’s total humanitarian funding so far in 2026 amounts to approximately EUR 124 million, broadly in line with the average level of the previous two years.
Press releases -
21.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Switzerland
Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen will visit Zürich and Bern on 21–22 October and meet Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Press releases -
16.10.2026
Appointments of non-resident Ambassadors to Oman and Venezuela
At the presidential session on 16 October, the President of the Republic appointed non-resident Ambassadors to Oman and Venezuela.
Press releases -
15.10.2026
Director General appointed to Department for International Trade
On Thursday 15 October, the Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Päivi Pohjanheimo as Director General of the Department for International Trade in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The appointment is for a fixed term between 19 October 2026 and 31 August 2030.
Press releases -
14.10.2026
Finland to host School Meals Coalition Summit in 2027
Finland will host the Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition in Helsinki in October 2027.
Press releases -
14.10.2026
Information for Finnish travellers in the Middle East
The security situation in the Middle East remains fragile. It is difficult to assess how long it will continue.
News -
13.10.2026
AI Assistant UMAI leads the way across central government
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has developed a new AI Assistant, UMAI, that enables the handling of security-classified and other non-disclosable data. A pilot project has now been launched with the first groups of users. The Ministry is also serving as a pilot organisation in the development of a common AI platform for central government.
News -
13.10.2026
Export Control Forum in Brussels in November
The European Commission will hold its Export Control Forum in Brussels on 20 November 2026.
News -
13.10.2026
Foreign Ministry introduces AI service for processing classified information
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs has introduced its AI Assistant UMAI to an initial group of pilot users. The service enables the use of artificial intelligence to process information at national security classification level IV in a secure environment. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Government ICT Centre Valtori are acting as pilot organisations in the development of a common secure AI platform for central government.
Press releases -
13.10.2026
Singapore-Finland Joint Statement on Foreign Policy and Cooperation in the Age of AI
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, and Ms. Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, met in Singapore to reaffirm the close partnership between their countries and to outline a shared approach to foreign policy and cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Statements -
12.10.2026
EU targets largest ever package of sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Russia’s war industry
The European Union (EU) adopted new sanctions against individuals and entities in Russia’s military industry complex and against individuals involved in organising the so-called elections for the Russian State Duma in the unlawfully annexed or occupied territories of Ukraine. This is the single largest set of sanctions listings ever agreed by the EU.
Press releases -
12.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen calls for complete EU ban on Russian tourist visas
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen urges EU Member States to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens until Russia ends its war of aggression in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Valtonen calls for a tighter visa policy to be applied across the EU.
Press releases -
12.10.2026
Minister Tavio to visit Indonesia and Vietnam
Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Indonesia on 12–14 October and Vietnam on 15–16 October. During his visits, Minister Tavio will meet ministers and business representatives from the two countries. Several Finnish companies will take part in the visit programme.
Press releases -
9.10.2026
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia's war of aggression and hybrid actions, security impact of EU enlargement, and the Middle East
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 12 October. State Secretary Pasi Rajala will represent Finland at the meeting.
Press releases -
8.10.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Singapore
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Singapore, where she will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Tuesday 13 October.
Press releases -
8.10.2026
Minister Tavio to attend informal meeting of EU development ministers
EU ministers responsible for development are holding an informal meeting in Dublin, Ireland, on 8–9 October. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will represent Finland at the meeting.
Press releases -
7.10.2026
Minister Ville Tavio’s speech at the UNICEF Learning Pioneers Innovation Camp
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio's speech in Helsinki 7 Oct 2026.
Speeches -
1.10.2026
Cancelled: Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will meet Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will meet Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares in Helsinki on 5 October.
Press releases -
1.10.2026
Government proposes new Finnfund Act
The Government will submit a proposal to Parliament for a new act on Finnfund, Finland's development financier and impact investor. The new act would replace regulation that has been in place for almost 50 years. The reform is intended to improve the administration of the Finnpartnership programme, which channels development finance to businesses, and enhance the services available to companies.
Press releases -
1.10.2026
New partnership agreement strengthens cooperation between EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
The Government proposes that Parliament approve the partnership agreement between the European Union and its Member States and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), also known as the Samoa Agreement.
Press releases -
1.10.2026
Government proposes act on development policy investments
The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for an act on development policy investments. The proposal would create a clear legislative foundation for Finland's development policy investments and define their objectives, principles and procedures.
Press releases -
1.10.2026
Finland to support Ukraine with EUR 50 million loan through World Bank Group
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs will grant a EUR 50 million development policy loan to the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group. The loan will be provided for the Special Program for Ukraine Recovery 2.0 (SPUR 2.0), a new financing programme established by IDA to respond to Ukraine's substantial reconstruction and recovery needs.
Press releases -
1.10.2026
Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rangel to visit Finland and meet Foreign Minister Valtonen
Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel will visit Finland on 5 October and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. Topics on the agenda for the meeting include the bilateral relations between Finland and Portugal, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the EU's multiannual financial framework and enlargement. The ministers will also discuss other security policy issues and artificial intelligence.
Press releases -
30.9.2026
Minister Adlercreutz to attend meeting of ministers for Nordic cooperation
Minister Anders Adlercreutz, who is responsible for Nordic cooperation, will attend a meeting of the ministers for Nordic cooperation in Copenhagen on 1 October.
Press releases -
30.9.2026
Finland provides EUR 7 million for Gaza reconstruction and medical care in Palestine
Finland is providing EUR 4 million to the UN Horizon Fund for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza and EUR 3 million for the development of Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem through the PEGASE financing mechanism managed by the EU.
Press releases -
30.9.2026
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budrys to visit Finland
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys will visit Helsinki and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen on 2 October.
Press releases -
25.9.2026
Deputy Director General Lauratuulia Lehtinen appointed to Advisory Group of UN Central Emergency Response Fund
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Deputy Director General, Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Lauratuulia Lehtinen to the Advisory Group of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for a three-year term.
Press releases -
25.9.2026
Estonian Foreign Minister Tsahkna to visit Helsinki
Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna will visit Helsinki and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen on 29 September.
Press releases -
24.9.2026
Finland promotes efforts to ensure accountability in Russia’s war of aggression
On 24 September, the Government submitted to Parliament proposals for the acceptance and bringing into force of an agreement related to the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.
Press releases -
23.9.2026
Finland and California strengthen their commercial and economic cooperation
On 23 September 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Finland and the State of California to strengthen commercial and economic ties between Finland and California.
Press releases -
22.9.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen: Cooperation with Arctic allies strengthens Finland's security
Foreign Ministers from the allied Arctic nations, the Arctic Seven (A7), met in New York on 21 September. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen represented Finland at the meeting. The A7 comprises Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Canada and the United States. The meeting was convened by the United States.
Press releases -
21.9.2026
Budget proposal for Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its branch of government for 2027
The Finnish Government is proposing EUR 244 million for the operating expenses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The operating expenses would be subject to a productivity saving of EUR 0.4 million as part of the additional measures the Government adopted in spring 2026 to adjust general government finances. The Ministry will primarily target the savings at its activities in Finland by limiting backfill recruitment and improving efficiency. The savings outlined in the Government Programme for development cooperation will increase by EUR 50 million.
Press releases -
18.9.2026
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to visit Helsinki
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will visit Helsinki on Friday 18 September and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Press releases -
17.9.2026
Finnish Internet Forum 2026 to explore digital sovereignty and age restrictions on the Internet
The Finnish Internet Forum will be held in cooperation with Parliament’s Committee for the Future on Wednesday 7 October 2026. This year’s agenda focuses on digital sovereignty, the age restrictions on the Internet and the safety of children. Discussions take place against the backdrop of the development of artificial intelligence and its impact on the Internet.
Press releases -
16.9.2026
Ministers Valtonen and Tavio to attend high-level week of UN General Assembly in New York
The high-level meetings of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) will begin in New York on 21 September. Finland’s delegation will be led by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, who will deliver Finland’s statement at the general debate on 22 September. The delegation’s vice-chairs are Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.
Press releases -
16.9.2026
Minister Tavio to visit Estonia
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Tallinn on 16 September. During his visit, he will meet Estonian Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo, business representatives and learn about Estonia's startup and innovation ecosystem and the Rail Baltica project.
Press releases -
16.9.2026
Finland to help the Pacific and Indonesia prepare for climate change and extreme weather, with Finnish Meteorological Institute in project implementation
Finland will allocate EUR 2.55 million for preparedness for extreme weather events in Indonesia and the island nations of the Pacific. The Finnish Meteorological Institute will implement the PACIDFIN project together with the Pacific Meteorological Council and the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics.
Press releases -
15.9.2026
New Head of Mission appointed to Munich
At the presidential session on Tuesday 15 September, the President of the Republic appointed Roy Eriksson to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Consulate in Munich.
Press releases -
15.9.2026
Finland to establish a consulate in Munich
On 15 September 2026, the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb confirmed an amendment to the Presidential Decree on Finland's Missions Abroad. The amendment establishes a Finnish consulate in Munich, Germany.
Press releases -
14.9.2026
Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Finland and France
The Government of the French Republic (hereinafter referred to as “France”) and the Government of the Republic of Finland (hereinafter referred to as “Finland”), hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Signatories”, are linked by a long and solid friendship and share common values based on freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality.
Statements -
14.9.2026
French Foreign Minister Barrot to visit Helsinki and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot will visit Helsinki and meet Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen on 14 September. During their discussions, the ministers will sign a document on a strategic partnership between Finland and France. They will also receive briefings on security in the Baltic Sea region.
Press releases