Current affairs

According to the mid-term evaluation of the Sustainable WASH for All (SUSWA) project - a joint project between Nepal, Finland and the EU - SUSWA has renovated old water supply schemes and built also new ones. The project has been successful in raising municipalities' capacities in the water and sanitation sector as a result of its close cooperation with municipalities. SUSWA started in the province of Karnali at the end of 2021 and operates in the country's most remote regions, supporting municipalities in providing water and sanitation services for municipal residents.

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.

Finland established its permanent Embassy in Kathmandu in 1992 to enhance development cooperation and bilateral relations. Over the years, the Embassy’s role has expanded, managing numerous projects with increasing volume in consular services. The appointment of the first Resident Ambassador in 2011 marked a significant step in deepening the partnership and underscored its importance. Decades of collaboration have yielded remarkable achievements, laying a strong foundation for further expansion and diversification of relations in the years to come.

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.

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.

Nepal, Finland’s long-term partner country in development cooperation, is expected to graduate from a Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. Finland and Nepal established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. Finland is now aiming to diversify its partnership with Nepal and increase commercial and economic cooperation with the country by taking advantage of the links between trade and development. Effective development cooperation plays a key role in bilateral relations.

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Nepal on 25–28 November.

The diplomatic relations between Finland and Nepal were formed on September 21 in 1974, through an exchange of diplomatic notes in New Delhi. In the following years, the relations deepened and new avenues for collaboration were identified, with bilateral development cooperation starting in 1983. Environmental and forestry sector, rural electrification and water supply were areas where Finland’s expertise aligned with Nepal’s priorities. Ties were strengthened in other areas as well, when tourism sector in Nepal gained momentum and bilateral trade took its first steps.