Current affairs

In accordance with Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's recommendation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland recommends to avoid all unnecessary travel to the UK to avoid the spread of the new COVID-19 variant to Finland. Restrictions on movement and gatherings remain in place in Great Britain. Coronavirus guidelines vary depending whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales of Northern Ireland. Please check guidelines prior to travelling to your destination.

Welcome to our first Team Finland newsletter of the year! This newsletter covers some highlights of our past and future Team Finland projects. We publish the newsletter online, but if you'd like to be added to the direct emailing list, please contact us: [email protected]

The municipal elections will be held on Sunday 13 June 2021. The Act on the Postponement of the 2021 Municipal Elections entered into force on 29 March 2021. The advance voting period will be from 26 May to 8 June in Finland and from 2 to 5 June abroad.

Respond to the European Commission’s questionnaire on an online visa application process.

To support people travelling on essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, Finnish missions abroad keep their websites updated on local travel restrictions. Rules and guidance in different countries can change rapidly, which is why the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises people travelling on business to always check the official website of the country of destination, to consider whether the trip is essential, and to act responsibly.

For the past 80 years, all Finnish parents have been provided a box by the state. It is a starter kit with necessities ranging from clothes to toys to help care for their newborn. Today Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, in part thanks to this maternity package.

In 2020, the Unit for Consular Assistance provided nearly twice as much guidance compared to the previous year. In the spring, during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, personal guidance and advice were given to tens of thousands of travellers stranded abroad. Thousands of travellers were assisted in returning to Finland after air traffic ground to a sudden halt.

Finland is seeking membership of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2022–2024. The campaign slogan: ”A Diverse World, Universal Human Rights”, underscores the universal nature of human rights. The election will take place at the UN General Assembly in October 2021.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs urges to avoid all travel to the Brazil and South Africa in accordance with the recommendation of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. For all other countries, the Foreign Ministry’s general travel advice due to the COVID-19 pandemic is to avoid all but essential travel.

HEL-LO! Climate Calling –podcast explores climate solutions and sheds light on the people and projects working towards a more sustainable world. The podcast features top-level climate experts from Finland and the UK. The podcast kicks off an important year in global climate talks, with the Glasgow Climate Change Conference COP26 expected to produce significant national climate commitments in November 2021.