Finland's Diplomatic Nexus
Navigating Global Relations: An in-depth examination of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, its structure, operations, and international engagement.
Overview ๐ Structure โ๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Ministry Overview
Core Mandate
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) is a pivotal entity within the Finnish Government. Its primary responsibility is the formulation and execution of the nation's foreign policy, guiding Finland's interactions on the global stage.
Establishment & Jurisdiction
Established on 28 June 1918, the Ministry operates under the jurisdiction of the Finnish Government. Its headquarters are located in the historic Merikasarmi complex in Helsinki's Katajanokka district.
Operational Scale
The MFA is a significant governmental body, employing 1,420 permanent staff members and an additional 980 locally hired personnel across its operations. It manages a network of 89 overseas offices, underscoring its extensive international reach. In 2017, the ministry's annual budget was approximately โฌ1.079 billion.
Organizational Structure
Ministerial Leadership
The political leadership of the Ministry is vested in two key ministers:
- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, who holds overall political control.
- The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development.
The highest-ranking civil servant is the Secretary of State, supported by four Under-Secretaries of State, each overseeing specific policy areas.
Departments
The Ministry is structured into twelve distinct departments, each focusing on specific aspects of foreign policy and international relations:
Specialized Units
In addition to its core departments, the Ministry includes two specialized units dedicated to specific functions:
- Unit for Internal Auditing
- Unit for Policy Planning and Research
Current Ministers
Leadership Team
As of the latest available information, the ministerial leadership includes:
- Minister for Foreign and European Affairs: Elina Valtonen
- Minister for Foreign Trade and Development: Ville Tavio
The current Secretary of State is Matti Anttonen, providing senior administrative leadership.
Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Financial Commitment
Finland's commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) is substantial. In 2022, total ODA reached USD 1.6 billion, an increase partly attributed to in-donor refugee costs. This represented 0.58% of the nation's Gross National Income (GNI).
Strategic Priorities
Finland's development cooperation efforts are strategically focused on several key areas:
- Advancing the rights and status of women and girls.
- Promoting sustainable economies and decent work.
- Ensuring access to quality education.
- Fostering peace and democracy.
- Addressing climate change and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
External Resources
Official Information
For direct insights and official communications, consult the following resource:
- ThisisFINLAND: A platform managed by the Ministry's Department for Communication and Culture, offering information about Finland.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Ministry For Foreign Affairs Finland" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely current.
This is not official government advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for consulting official government documentation or seeking advice from qualified public administration professionals. Always refer to official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland) and its operations.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.