Current affairs

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 205,000 customers last year. Over the course of the year, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,800 times in total.

The Embassy of Finland in Canberra will conduct a passport mission to Adelaide and Perth in March 2025. Passport missions by the Embassy of Finland enable citizens of Finland to apply for a Finnish passport in the city that the mission takes place. This means a trip to Canberra can be avoided. Services provided during a passport mission are restricted to passport and identity card applications.

The new decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on fees charged for services provided by the Finnish Foreign Service in 2025 enters into force on 1 January 2025. Several services that are now provided free of charge will become subject to a fee as of 1 January 2025.

The Team Finland reform proceeds. After the transitional period, the foreign operations of Business Finland will be incorporated into the Foreign Service. The appropriation of Business Finland’s foreign network will be transferred to the administrative branch of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 1 January 2025. The service agreement ensures that the export promotion services will continue without interruption.

On 6 December 2024 we celebrate Finland's 107th Independence Day.

Finland is the first country in the world to commission a composer to create an official national soundscape. Ääniä is an original musical work by Lauri Porra, one of the country’s most celebrated composers. It takes the listener on a journey through the impressions, seasons and serene beauty of the happiest country in the world.

Ambassador Arto Haapea invited guests to the newly refurbished Residence for an exclusive reception and celebration of Finnish design in Australia. Open for the first time following a major renovation, this was an opportunity to experience the best of modern Finnish design set within timeless 1970s architecture.

Second Chance - an exhibition from Finnish artist Siru Tuomisto is now open and on display this week at the Embassy of Finland in Canberra.

Ambassador Arto Haapea leads a Team Finland business delegation to Sydney between 28 October - 1 November 2024 for the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC).