Current affairs
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12.11.2026
Restrictions placed on entry of Russian athletes into Finland
Finland is tightening restrictions on the entry of Russian citizens into the country. On 12 November 2026, the Government issued a resolution, which stated the threat that the entry of Russian citizens into the country poses to Finland’s international relations. The new restrictions apply to short-term work carried out under a visa, including professional sports. As of 16 November 2026, public authorities will take the new resolution into account when considering visa applications and assessing the conditions for entry and short-term stay.
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11.11.2026
Finland contributes to the global transition away from fossil fuels
Over 96% of Finland's electricity is generated from non-fossil sources, one of the highest shares in the world. Total fossil fuel consumption has been halved over the past 15 years, decreasing from 47% in 2010 to 26% in 2025.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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20.8.2026
Finland supports aviation safety in Indonesia, while also opening opportunities for Finnish technology
Finland is delivering weather and aviation safety systems to Indonesia in a project that improves the safety of the country’s aviation operations by strengthening aviation meteorological services. The project will be carried out by Vaisala Plc together with the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Vaisala’s main production site is in Vantaa, Finland.
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14.8.2026
New Heads of Mission appointed to Riyadh, Jakarta and Finland’s Permanent Mission to the UN; Deputy Director General appointed to Foreign Ministry’s Legal Service and non-resident Ambassadors to five countries
At the presidential session on Friday 14 August, the President of the Republic appointed Jukka Pajarinen Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Riyadh, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Jakarta and Janne Taalas Head of Finland’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. Pajarinen and Suomela-Chowdhury will take up their posts on 1 September and Taalas on 1 November 2026. At its session on Thursday 13 August, the Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Sami Leino to the post of Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s Legal Service for a fixed term from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030.
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26.7.2026
Aalto Works inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to inscribe the Aalto Works on the World Heritage List at its 48th session held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 19 to 29 July 2026. The property comprises 13 modern architectural sites across Finland designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto.
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15.6.2026
Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ policy on Finland’s Indo-Pacific approach: Prioritising stability and cooperation
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has adopted Finland’s first comprehensive Indo-Pacific policy, responding to the region’s growing economic and geopolitical significance.