At the presidential session on Friday 22 May, the President of the Republic appointed Anna Merrifield to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Dar es Salaam as of 1 September 2026 and Lotta Nymann-Lindegren to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Copenhagen as of 1 August 2026.

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on 3 May. The day reminds us of the importance of free and independent media as the foundation for democracy, the rule of law and an open society. Finland promotes media freedom, which is fundamental to freedom of speech and expression, as part of its foreign and security policy.