News
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United States liberalises export of high technology products to Finland
Following Finland’s reform of the Act on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, the United States has added Finland to the list of IEC eligible destinations from 17 September 2024.
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Consultation on national general export authorisation
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is consulting exporters on the draft decision on a national general export authorisation until 14 October 2024.
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Foreign Minister Valtonen discusses Finland’s objectives for UN Human Rights Council’s 57th session with civil society representatives
This is the last time during its membership period 2022–2024 that Finland will participate as a Member in the regular session of the UN Human Rights Council. In accordance with established practice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs invited the representatives of the civil society to exchange views on Finland’s objectives and priorities for the upcoming session. The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the UN’s most important intergovernmental body promoting and protecting human rights. The HRC’s 57th session started on 9 September and ends on 11 October.
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Video: FM Elina Valtonen and Sveriges FM Maria Malmer Stenergard
Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen met Sweden´s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard in Helsinki on 13 September. The press conference was broadcast live on Friday 13.9 at 14.45.
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Foreign Ministry preparing open call for proposals for Finnish CSOs for programme-based support 2026–2029
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is preparing a call for proposals for programme-based support, which will be open to Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs) in January 2025. In this application round, Finnish CSOs can apply for discretionary government grants for development cooperation programmes and, where applicable, for humanitarian assistance included in the programmes for the period 2026–2029. The grant is awarded from the development cooperation appropriations for Finnish CSOs’ development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
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Video: FM Elina Valtonen and Estonia's FM Margus Tsahkna
Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen met Estonia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna in Helsinki on 6 September.
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Nuclear weapons still at core of international relations
Nuclear weapons have been at the core of international relations ever since they were developed. Nuclear-weapons states and their allies regard nuclear weapons as the cornerstone of security and means to stabilise international relations. At the same time, nuclear weapons pose a threat to the existence of humankind.
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Government issues a decree on advisory board on export control
The Government issued a decree on an advisory board on export control on 29 August. The decree was issued under the Act on the Control of Exports of Dual-Use Goods. The new act on the export of dual-use items enters into force on 15 September 2024.
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‘No re-export Belarus’ clause becomes mandatory for EU operators
EU-based exporters are required to prohibit in their contracts re-exportation to Belarus of goods covered by specific annexes to the Council regulation concerning EU sanctions against Belarus.
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Foreign Ministry’s organisational reform emphasises teamwork
The reform of the Foreign Service of Finland took a step forward on 1 August, when the reorganisation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the updated rules of procedure took effect. The purpose of the organisational reform is to lay a suitable foundation for the Ministry’s work in the current international situation and in terms of Finland’s foreign policy change. At the same time, cooperation across organisational boundaries has become even more important.
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Finnish and Moroccan Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita met in Helsinki on Tuesday 6 August. The Ministers discussed a number of topical issues during the visit.
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Comments published on government decree on Advisory Board on Export Controls
The public consultation concerning a government decree ended on 15 July 2024. The comments are available in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects.
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Finland enacts legislation to combat instrumentalised migration
On 16 July, the President of the Republic approved the bill for the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration. The aim of the act is to improve border security and ensure that Finland has effective means at its disposal to combat instrumentalised migration, which is being used to put pressure on Finland. The aim is also to prepare for more serious instances of instrumentalised migration.
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UN Forum on Sustainable Development boosts achievement of development goals
Finland is participating in the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on 8–17 July. The Forum assesses annually what progress has been made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in different countries.
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Foreign Ministry selects partner for reception of visa and residence permit applications
Based on predetermined criteria, the contract was awarded to VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd, which is the current provider of the outsourced application services to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
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Council of Europe Committee to discuss promotion of civil society space in Helsinki
The Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) of the Council of Europe will hold its hundredth meeting in Helsinki in 25–28 June. The CDDH develops human rights standards and promotes human rights in the Member States of the Council of Europe. The intergovernmental work of the CDDH is based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and on the European human rights treaties.
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Vice-presidency of Human Rights Council offers Finland opportunity to advocate international cooperation
Finland’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council continues until the end of 2024. This year, Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations Office at Geneva, is serving as one of the Council’s Vice-Presidents. The President and Vice-Presidents are responsible for upholding the Council’s mandate to protect and promote human rights.
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Foreign Ministry consults representatives of civil society organisations before the 56th session of UN Human Rights Council
At the end of May, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs invited representatives of civil society organisations to comment on Finland’s participation in the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The discussions focused on increasingly narrow civic space in countries such as Belarus, Uganda and Myanmar and on the rights of women and girls in the midst of war and crises.
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Webcast: FM Elina Valtonen, Germany’s FM Annalena Baerbock and Estonia’s FM Margus Tsahkna
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will host the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Porvoo on 13–14 June. Watch the webcast of the press conference on 14 June at approximately 13.15.
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Country programmes have strengthened the effectiveness and sustainability of Finland's bilateral cooperation
Despite the increasing instability of the global operating environment, good results have been achieved within the framework of Finland's bilateral country programmes. The recent report summarizes the results of an analysis that looked at Finland's ten country programmes in 2021-2024.
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Requirements for reporting military end-use in export authorisation application updated
The export authorisation application form has been updated as of 13 June 2024. The change will support the overall assessment of applications.
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“We are training a new generation of multilateral environmental agreements negotiators”
What should we do to tackle the crises related to climate change, biodiversity and pollution on the global scale? This was the main theme of a course on environmental law-making and diplomacy for an international group of students. The course was organised with support from the Finnish Government.
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Foreign Ministry launches open course on business and human rights
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published an online course Business and Human Rights, which is open to everyone.
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Expert committee calls on Finland to strengthen education in the different Sami languages and ensure their use in services
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has called on the Finnish authorities to further strengthen education of Inari Sami, North Sami and Skolt Sami and ensure their effective use in social and health care services. The committee also recommends that the authorities increase awareness and tolerance in the society as a whole vis-à-vis the regional or minority languages and the cultures they represent.
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Ambassador appointments and non-resident Ambassador appointment to Solomon Islands
At the presidential session on 30 May, the President of the Republic decided to appoint two new Ambassadors and one non-resident Ambassador. The Government decided to renew an appointment at its session on 30 May.
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Call for Proposals for International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs)
The Call for Proposals for INGOs will be postponed. Additional information will be shared by October 2024.
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Mozambique strengthens its education sector with Finland’s support
Cooperation between Finland and Mozambique has yielded good results, according to a recent evaluation. Finland’s support has had an impact especially on teacher education, which is crucial for children’s learning.
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Parties to Antarctic Treaty to meet in India
The next, 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty will be held in Koch, India, on 20–30 May 2024. More than 350 participants are expected to attend the meeting.
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Joint education project between Nepal and Finland receives significant EU funding
Finland will launch a new bilateral project in Nepal focusing in particular on the development of teacher education. The project will be implemented by the University of Helsinki's company HY+, which provides education and development services.
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Obligation of Russian-affiliated businesses and banks operating in Finland to report on transfers of over EUR 100,000 enters into force
Russian-affiliated businesses and banks operating in Finland have an obligation to regularly report to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on transfers of funds exceeding EUR 100,000 from Finland to third countries. The first reports are due by 15 May 2024. A standardised reporting template must be used for submitting the reports.
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Ukrainian war journalist Illia Ponomarenko to speak at the World Village Festival at the Foreign Ministry’s invitation on 25 May
Illia Ponomarenko, one of the internationally best-known Ukrainian war journalists, will arrive in Helsinki at the invitation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and speak at the World Village Festival in Suvilahti, Helsinki, on Saturday 25 May. During his visit, Ponomarenko will also meet Finland’s political leaders, experts in the field of combatting information influence activities, and volunteers supporting Ukraine.
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Is your company the next driver of development? Come and hear about the opportunities for support and funding
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finnpartnership will organise two events in June with a focus on the business opportunities of Finnish companies in different sectors and in the markets of developing countries. The events also provide guidance on what kind of support and funding is available for expanding to new markets.
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Freedom of the press has declined globally — results vary in Finland’s development cooperation partner countries
According to the new index, the freedom of the press is under threat globally, and increasingly so in Europe as well. Tanzania, which moved up 46 places, and Ukraine, which is defending against Russia’s aggression, were major advancers among Finland’s key bilateral partner countries.
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Ambassador and non-resident Ambassador appointments
At the presidential session on 3 May, the President of the Republic decided to appoint five new Ambassadors and one new non-resident Ambassador.
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NATO and sanctions trainings receive special recognition
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ introductory courses on NATO and sanctions were granted special recognition for their topicality and effectiveness at eOppiva Awards 2023. Both courses are available in the government digital learning environment eOppiva.
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Invitation to public consultation event: Amendment to the Act on Concessional Credits Granted to Developing Countries
On Wednesday 8 May 2024, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will hold a public consultation event on the draft government proposal for amending the Finnish Act on Concessional Credits Granted to Developing Countries.
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Advisory Board for International Human Rights begins new term of office
The Advisory Board for International Human Rights (IONK) began a new term of office at the start of 2024. Appointed for 2024–2027, the IONK monitors the implementation of Finland's international human rights policy and may issue recommendations on it.
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Finland emphasises economic equality and rights of women in conflict zones at the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
The 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) took place in New York between 11 and 22 March. The theme of the session was ‘Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective’.
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Ambassador and non-resident Ambassador appointments
At the presidential session on 12 April, the President of the Republic appointed eight new Ambassadors and three new non-resident Ambassadors.
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Advance information on the upcoming 2024 Call for Proposals for International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs)
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland will open a Call for Proposals for INGOs for support in development cooperation in the area of Human Rights in May 2024.
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Finland to showcase circular solutions at World Circular Economy Forum in Brussels
Finland will feature prominently at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in mid-April. A leading country in circular economy, Finland will showcase circular economy innovations and cooperation models. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will participate in this super week of circular economy.
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World Water Week to highlight link between water resources and peace
Finland will have a prominent role in the programme session on water disputes and mediation in World Water Week in Stockholm on 25–29 August. Finland is for the first time a key collaborating partner of the event. World Water Week’s programme offers meeting opportunities for both water experts and members of the public interested in the root causes of and solutions to water disputes. Several sessions can also be followed remotely.
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Finland leads UN Human Rights Council intervention in discrimination and violence against intersex persons
The UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution Combating Discrimination, Violence, and Harmful Practices against Intersex Persons on 4 April. The resolution was presented by Finland together with Australia, Chile and South Africa. Several states across the world also supported the resolution.
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Foreign Ministry invites tenders for services for submitting entry permit applications
The request for participation, instructions for responding and contact details regarding the competitive procedure are available for service providers in the HILMA official service for notices on public procurement in Finland. Service providers are requested to submit their responses by 2 May 2024.
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Kauppapolitiikka: Under the golden stars
The latest issue of the Kauppapolitiikka trade policy magazine looks at how elections influence important trade policy decisions in both the EU and the United States.
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Video: FM Elina Valtonen and Sweden's FM Tobias Billström
Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström in Helsinki on 25–26 March.
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Advance voting abroad in June’s European elections
The voting day for the European elections in Finland is Sunday 9 June 2024. Abroad, advance voting will be conducted between 29 May and 1 June 2024, but many of the advance polling stations abroad are open for a shorter period than this.
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Ministry for Foreign Affairs addresses inappropriate conduct in the workplace
Allegations made about inappropriate conduct in the Finnish Foreign Service have recently been debated in public. All allegations of inappropriate conduct, harassment and sexual harassment are taken seriously and investigated, says Under-Secretary of State Pekka Puustinen.
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Video: Press conference of FM Valtonen and FM Sikorski
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen met Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski in Helsinki on 14 March.