Current affairs
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3.5.2026
World Press Freedom Day highlights importance of freedom of expression for democracy and security
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.
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28.4.2026
Crisis Management NOW – Serving peace 70 years and beyond
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its partners will organise the Crisis Management NOW event focusing on crisis management and peacebuilding on Tuesday 5 May.
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10.3.2026
Finnish Foreign Ministry supports scaling of African‑European innovations
The 2026 call for applications for the Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) funding is now open. JIF is designed to strengthen digital, climate-positive innovation activity. The funding will support the expansion of market-ready, digitally enabled innovations through cross-border partnerships.
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25.2.2026
President Alexander Stubb and security policy drew global attention to Finland in 2025
Security policy topics, which have dominated international coverage on Finland since 2022, continued as the key theme in 2025. The number of news headlines about Finland was lower than the previous year, but President of the Republic Alexander Stubb assumed a significantly more visible role on the international stage. Country brand surveys indicate that Finland’s brand has become more positive, and awareness of Finland has increased since 2024. However, Finland’s positive image development has not fully kept pace with other countries.
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11.2.2026
Foreign Ministry’s consular services assist over 245,000 Finns around the world in 2025
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 245,000 customers in 2025. In addition, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,700 times over the course of the year.
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26.1.2026
African Development Bank President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah to visit Helsinki
The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, will visit Helsinki on Monday 26 January. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier development financier on the African continent and a key partner for Finland in advancing sustainable economic growth and development in Africa at a time when global economic and security policy shifts are reshaping development funding.
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14.1.2026
Open Call for Finnish Companies to be part of Minister Puisto's Delegation Visit to South Africa
Team Finland network is pleased to invite Finnish companies to join Minister for Economic Affairs, Sakari Puisto on his upcoming visit to South Africa. Minister Puisto will lead a delegation of Finnish companies participating in the Mining Indaba. In addition, the Minister will also support Finnish companies in exploring an emerging opportunity with the Cape Winelands Airport project.
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2.1.2026
Unified export promotion network serves Finnish companies worldwide
As of 1 January, the foreign operations of Business Finland related to export promotion have been integrated into the structures of the Finnish Foreign Service. The reform will strengthen the Team Finland network and provide a better platform for a unified team for export promotion.
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17.12.2025
Finland to support sustainable economic growth and industrialisation in Africa through African Development Fund
Finland will participate in the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (AfDF-17) to support sustainable economic growth in the poorest countries on the continent. The objective of the African Development Fund (AfDF) is to reduce poverty by promoting the economic and social development of African countries. Finland is also involved in supporting Africa’s debt sustainability.
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5.12.2025
Finland’s national soundscape recognised in London
Finland’s national soundscape Ääniä has received recognition in a prestigious place-branding competition in London. The work, composed by Lauri Porra, was honoured in the Best Use of Design category assessing strategic country branding initiatives. The soundscape is published on music streaming platforms on 5 December 2025, just ahead of Finland’s Independence Day.