NordenBladet — Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a remote bilateral meeting on 16 March 2021. The theme of the meeting will be deepening partnerships between Finland and India in fields including digitalisation, education and sustainable development.The prime ministers will discuss a wide range of issues related to intensifying economic relations between the countries in future-oriented sectors. Topics on the agenda include the utilisation of new technologies in education and cooperation in the development of 5G and 6G technologies, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. There are also plenty of concrete opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the sphere of sustainable development.
NordenBladet — The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland will boost investment in emissions reducing solutions, accelerate sustainable growth in the economy, and create long-term growth potential. Half of the funding involved will be for promoting a green transition, and about a quarter will be for digitalisation. The Programme will also boost public investment in research, development and innovation by approximately EUR 700 million.The Programme will renew employment services, health and social services and services for continuous learning, making them more effective and improving their quality. Productivity and service accessibility will be improved through digitalisation funding of around EUR 540 million.The ministerial working group on sustainable growth for Finland has focused on strong public-private partnerships in order to leverage investment. The aim of the Programme is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Finland in a fair and just way, but also to obtain new markets for Finnish companies and to gain a position at the leading edge internationally.“Provisional estimates suggest we could mobilise more than EUR 3 billion in private investment. This would give the Programme a total impact of more than EUR 5 billion. The investments being made will accelerate emissions reduction measures in line with the low-carbon roadmaps for industrial sectors. The investments will potentially bring a substantial reduction of three million tonnes annually in Finland’s carbon dioxide emissions. This equates to about six per cent of Finland’s emissions,” says Minister of Finance Matti Vanhanen, chair of the ministerial working group.“Finland’s gross domestic product in 2023 is estimated to be 0.5 per cent higher than the forecast figure when the impact of recovery elsewhere in the EU is also taken into account. More significantly, though, the reforms and investments will improve productivity and long-term growth potential throughout the current decade,” says Minister Vanhanen.Funding for individual projects to be decided laterOn Monday 15 March, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy gave its support to Finland’s preliminary Recovery and Resilience Plan, which outlines Finland’s use of funding from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. At this point, no position has been taken on the funding for individual projects. The time for project decisions will be after the transfer of funding to Finland’s national Budget during the current year.Overall, the preliminary total for 2021–2023 is approximately EUR 2.1 billion at current prices. The final amount of funding for Finland from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility will not be known until summer 2022, as the performance of the economy in 2021 and 2022 will affect the figures. Finland will also receive funding for other programmes under the EU’s recovery package, such as those under the Just Transition Mechanism and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The content of these will be coordinated with the plan that has now been approved. This increases the overall amount of EU funding for Finland to an estimated total of EUR 2.9 billion at current prices (EUR 2.7 billion at 2018 prices).Green transition will support structural change in the economyThe ‘green transition’ priority provisionally includes funding of approximately EUR 820 million at current prices. Some of the measures under the other priorities will also promote the green transition, and so, overall, the green transition accounts for about EUR 1,040 million at current prices, which is around half of the total.The aim is to bring forward solutions that can reduce emissions both in Finland and worldwide. Putting into effect the low-carbon roadmaps for industrial sectors will be a significant component of the overall package.The green transition will create new technologies for accelerating the move away from fossil energy. New jobs will be created across the country, replacing work being lost as a result of structural change. New skills will also emerge that boost the competitiveness of Finland’s export industry. Additional funding will help to build up the skills needed, by supporting education, training and research, and this will open up new study opportunities.Support will be available for households switching from oil heating to renewable energy, for example. Financial support will also be available for businesses, municipalities and parishes.Digitalisation will improve productivity and make services available to allThe ‘digitalisation’ priority provisionally includes funding of approximately EUR 220 million at current prices. If all projects promoting digitalisation are included, even where they are under other priorities, digitalisation accounts for about EUR 540 million at current prices, which is around a quarter of the total.Digitalisation in rail transport will enable more efficient use of rail capacity, reduce disruption and improve safety. This project will make train travel smoother and will improve flexibility in goods transport – while also supporting climate objectives.The Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland will bring fast internet connections to areas which are not served by the market. With fast internet access throughout the country, work can be done conveniently in the workplace, at home or even at a summer cottage or other secondary residence. The same applies to studying.Businesses especially will benefit from the development of new leading edge technologies such as 6G and artificial intelligence. The aim is to create expertise in these sectors in Finland, which will generate jobs, open up study opportunities and improve Finland’s competitiveness.In the future, receipts and invoices could be saved in electronic form online in a standard, machine-readable format. This means customers will be able to find their receipts in a single location and business operators can conveniently get an overall picture of their financial situation. This will also reduce the grey economy, as the tax authorities will readily have access to information on purchases.Employment and skills will boost sustainable growthThe ‘employment and skills’ priority provisionally includes funding of approximately EUR 640 million at current prices.Jobseekers and businesses will benefit from a customer-oriented service when the online services of the Employment and Economic Development Offices are improved and additional staff hired. Work-based immigration will operate more smoothly through the creation of convenient digital services. The Ohjaamo one-stop guidance centres will offer a wider range of youth services. People with impaired capacity for work will be able to find employment more successfully when structural reforms supporting this are brought forward.Study opportunities will be improved, as higher education institutions will have more student places available. The Programme will accelerate the development of digital, location-independent learning environments in higher education institutions. Considerable investment in continuous learning will support the acquisition of new skills needed in the workplace, boosting employment. Additional and more diverse opportunities will be created for continuous learning, and it will be easier to find these. There will be more equitable participation.Research, development and innovation will bring improved productivity and boost the international competitiveness of businesses. Additional funding will focus especially on promoting innovation and the national research infrastructure in support of the green transition.Reform in travel and tourism and in the creative and cultural sectors will also be supported on the basis of competency and research.Availability of health and social services will improveThe ‘health and social services’ priority provisionally includes funding of approximately EUR 400 million at current prices.The reforms will mean people have quicker access to care, rehabilitation and other healthcare and social welfare services. Quicker access to mental health services will be made possible throughout the country. It is important to receive help at an early stage so that minor problems do not become more serious.Improved availability of primary-level services will reduce the need for specialised medical care and demanding special services. This will curb the growth of health and social services expenditure.The availability of healthcare and social welfare services and the accessibility of these services will improve as more digital service options are offered, such as online discussions with professionals and remote appointments. Mobile services can be brought to people’s homes or to shopping centres, for example. This will also support locally accessible services. It will be easier to meet people’s needs when professionals in different fields cooperate more closely and information is transmitted more effectively.Final version of Plan ready in AprilThe Ministry of Finance is submitting the preliminary version of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan to the European Commission. The Ministry will continue discussion of the Plan’s contents with the Commission, and will consult stakeholders during further preparation.“The Plan as currently presented can still be changed. The Government aims to make it as effective as possible and to work transparently and in consultation with the different stakeholders. We welcome feedback and comments on the detailed programme now published,” says Minister Vanhanen.The Government is to approve the final Recovery and Resilience Plan on 30 April, after which the Ministry of Finance will submit the Plan to the EU. The European Commission will assess the Plan, and the Council of the EU will approve it in the summer.
NordenBladet — The home affairs ministers and foreign affairs ministers of EU member states will meet at an informal video conference on 15 March 2021. Finland will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and State Secretary Olli-Poika Parviainen. The announced theme of the meeting is the external dimension of the EU’s migration and asylum reform. The debate will focus on mutually beneficial migration partnerships between the EU and non-EU countries, and enhanced coordination between the different parties.
“The political, economic and social developments in our neighbouring countries also have a direct impact on the stability and security of the EU. Equal and sustainable partnerships with the countries of origin and transit are therefore needed to promote the EU’s objectives and also to influence the root causes of forced migration,” says Foreign Minister Haavisto.
“We must strive to ensure that the immigration and asylum policy of the partner countries would also be respectful of international law and human rights,” State Secretary Parviainen notes.In September 2020, the European Commission issued a comprehensive communication on the reform of migration and asylum policy. With respect to the external aspects of EU migration policy, the Commission aims to strengthen partnerships more strategically and more comprehensively.
“We need a broader dialogue with our partner countries, and migration issues should be discussed as part of the EU’s overall relations with third countries. To be a credible partner, we also urgently need to advance the finalisation of the reform on the EU asylum system by resolving the issues that divide the Member States,” Parviainen says.
Better coordination of bilateral cooperation and EU-level partnerships
The Commission has moreover noted that bilateral cooperation between Member States and non-EU countries on the one hand and EU-level partnerships on the other must be effectively coordinated to ensure the consistency of the efforts. Coordination should be intensified at the EU level, at the national level, and across these two levels. “To make our work more effective, coordination between EU actors must also be improved in the field. For example, cooperation between Justice and Home Affairs agencies, such as Frontex, and EU crisis management operations should be strengthened,” says State Secretary Parviainen.
NordenBladet — Today marks ten years of the conflict in Syria. Countless violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have caused enormous suffering.
Around 60 % of the Syrian population lacks food security. 5.6 million Syrians are refugees, and 6.2 million people are displaced within Syria. Finland strongly calls on the parties of the conflict for a political resolution. Read also the Syria declaration of the high representative on behalf of the EU on the website of the Council of the European Union.
NordenBladet — During this spring, a Citizens’ Jury on Climate Action will be convened to find out the people’s views and proposals for solutions concerning Finland’s emission reduction measures. A total of 8,000 Finns will receive an invitation letter to participate in the Citizens’ Jury, which is the first nation-wide Jury on climate issues in Finland. Of those invited, a maximum of 50 persons will be selected to the Jury.The task of the Citizens’ Jury is to assess how fair and effective the actions envisaged to be taken in Finland would be in reducing climate emissions. A particular focus will be on measures concerning the citizens that are related to food, housing and mobility.
“In most cases just a small number of people have the opportunity to participate in policy preparation. The only way to succeed in climate actions is by keeping everybody involved. It is also imported to hear people who normally do not participate in consultations. Through the Citizens’ Jury we will get the views of a representative group of Finns on the fairness of climate actions,” Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen says.
During March people from different parts of Finland will receive an invitation to the Citizens’ Jury. Of those invited, a group of a maximum of 50 persons will be selected in such a way that it represents the Finnish population as well as possible.
Informed views from the JuryThe Citizens’ Jury was commissioned by the Climate Policy Roundtable together with the Ministry of the Environment, and it will be implemented by the University of Turku. The Jury will convene three times in April via remote connections. The participants will be remunerated for their contribution. No previous knowledge on the topic is required.“The participants will receive information on climate work done in Finland in advance, and during the meetings they will hear introductions to the topic from various experts. As an outcome the Jury will provide informed and carefully considered views in support of climate policy preparation,” says Maija Setälä, Professor of Political Science at the University of Turku.
The Citizens’ Jury continues the process of public consultations for the preparation of the Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan. The online consultation held early this year brought about 18,000 responses. The Citizens’ Jury will also discuss the themes raised in these.Citizens’ Jury tested as the voice of the peopleThe Citizens’ Jury will sum up the views raised into a joint statement. In addition, the researchers will compile a summary and final report of the work done by the Jury. The results will be discussed at the Climate Policy Roundtable later this spring.
The Climate Policy Roundtable is composed of a broad spectrum of stakeholders from different sectors of society. With is work it supports the national preparation and implementation of climate policy by creating a common understanding on how the transition into a carbon-neutral society can be made in a way that is fair and just. The outcome of the Citizens’ Jury will be published on the website of the Ministry of the Environment later this spring. The results will also be used for the preparation of the Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan.
NordenBladet — At the presidential session on Friday 12 March, the President of the Republic appointed new Ambassadors and decided on a side accreditation.
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Pekka Kosonen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Cairo, starting on 1 September 2021. Kosonen will move to Cairo from Kabul, where he has worked as Head of Mission in 2017–2021. Earlier, he deputised for the Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Legal Service and served as team leader responsible for sanctions in 2015–2019. In the Diplomatic Service, he has also held posts in Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg. He holds a Master of Laws degree.
The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Heli Kanerva to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Kabul, starting on 1 September 2021. Most recently, Kanerva has served in the Foreign Ministry’s special assignments. In the Diplomatic Service, she has also held posts in the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN in New York and at Finland’s Embassy in Tallinn. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences.The President of the Republic also made a decision on the side accreditation of Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Pretoria, Ambassador Anne Lammila, to Botswana.
NordenBladet — Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari has been appointed a global champion for school feeding by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
In this role, Minister Skinnari will promote global awareness of school meals and will seek funding sources for school feeding programmes. The task will continue until the end of 2021.School feeding is an important nutritional support in developing countries, and for many children the school meal is their only substantial meal of the day. At the same time as the coronavirus pandemic has weakened household livelihoods and increased hunger, school closures have left an estimated 370 million children without their daily school meals. In addition, 73 million children in the poorest countries lacked access to school meals even before the pandemic. School feeding programmes provide an incentive to send all children to school, including girls. This is all the more important as schools re-open after the pandemic.
“Finland is a pioneer of school feeding, and the Finnish system is considered a model example of well-implemented school meals. I want to share our experiences and solutions globally together with government actors, organisations and companies,” says Minister Skinnari. As a school feeding champion, Minister Skinnari supports the World Food Programme, which is building an international coalition around the theme of school feeding. He will promote international cooperation in various high-level forums, especially the UN Food Systems Summit to be held in New York in September.
NordenBladet — Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero will chair the meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Digitalisation (MR-DIGITAL) on 16 March.
The meeting will include representatives from the Nordic and the Baltic countries. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager of the European Commission will also attend.MR-DIGITAL will be chaired by Finland during 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s first meeting of MR-DIGITAL will be held virtually.The meeting will discuss the digital green transition and the role to be played in this transition by the countries of the region. Decisions will also be taken on the priorities for the four-year term of MR-DIGITAL.
NordenBladet — The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal to postpone the 2021 municipal elections to Sunday 13 June. The purpose of the proposal is to promote the realisation of democratic rights and to ensure health security.
The 2021 municipal elections are proposed to be held on 13 June 2021. The advance voting period would be from 26 May to 8 June in Finland and from 2 to 5 June abroad. The Government proposes that the advance voting period in Finland be exceptionally extended to two weeks. In addition, the Government proposes support for municipalities to cover the extra costs arising from the extension of the advance voting period.
The candidate applications submitted earlier would still be valid. However, it would be possible to make changes to the applications and submit new applications until 4 May.
The party secretaries of the parliamentary parties decided to propose the postponement of the municipal elections at their meeting on 6 March. The final decision on the postponement of the elections will be made by Parliament.
NordenBladet — Antarctica, located around the geographical South Pole, and the surrounding islands south of 60 degrees South latitude together form the Antarctic region. Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest place on earth. It does not belong to any state and has no indigenous or permanent settlement.
The climate in Antarctica has impact worldwide. Photo: Pixabay
What, then, connects Arctic Finland, intersected by the Arctic Circle, to that southernmost continent of our planet? Surprisingly many things. In fact, that barren and almost completely ice-covered continent has an integral connection to every corner of the world. The reason is the continent’s central impact on the global climate and its changes.
Changes in ice cover affect the lives of millions around the world
Antarctica is covered by a huge ice sheet that in places is almost five kilometres thick. It contains 75% of the entire world’s fresh water and 90% of all the ice. It is therefore easy to see that even slight changes to the continent can have major global impacts.
The scales are huge. Fortunately, complete melting of the Antarctic glacier is unlikely, but if this were to happen, it is estimated that the sea level would rise by about 60 metres. Average temperatures have risen in both polar regions, and according to researchers, the melting of ice in the western part of Antarctica is accelerating at a rate that is difficult to predict. If the whole of West Antarctica were to melt, the estimated rise in the sea level would be about four metres worldwide. Even a much smaller rise in sea level could affect the lives of millions of people living on the coast around the world.
Finland plays an active role in Antarctic research
By studying the ice and atmosphere of Antarctica, the mechanism of climate change can be determined and both its rate and the human impact on climate change can be predicted more accurately. Studying the layers of ice can reveal information about the distant past. Antarctic research is, in a way, research on the entire globe and its history and future. The Antarctic is also home to rare, cold and dark ecosystems.
Finland is actively involved in Antarctic research. Finland has its own research station in Antarctica, Aboa, maintained by FINNARP, the Finnish Antarctic research programme of the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Regular research expeditions to Aboa have been organised since the 1980s. Although Finnish researchers would certainly find snow and ice closer to home, the research conducted in Antarctica is unique. Antarctica has a large, solid continental glacier and its own special features with regard, among others, to temperature, wind and atmospheric humidity. Corresponding information cannot be obtained from research done anywhere else.
