FINLAND

Minister Blomqvist participates in a conference on sustainable Nordic democracy

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Nordic Cooperation Thomas Blomqvist will participate virtually in a conference on strong democratic systems typical of the Nordic countries. The conference, which will be held in Copenhagen on 8 December aims to show how sustainable democracy in the Nordic region is strengthened by the participation of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland in Nordic cooperation alongside with the Nordic states.The conference is a joint initiative of Finland and Åland under Finland’s current Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The organiser of the conference is the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), supported by the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The conference will be opened by Ministers for Nordic Cooperation from Finland and Åland, Thomas Blomqvist and Annette Holmberg-Jansson. The conference coincides with the 100th anniversary of Åland.
   
“The overall vision for Nordic Cooperation is to make the Nordics the most sustainable and integrated region in the world”, minister Blomqvist states. “This conference is the culmination of a joint Presidency project by Finland and Åland, with the aim of promoting successful forms of democratic governance and thus contributing to sustainable development and the Nordic vision. Close Nordic cooperation is a great asset to us all, including to the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland, bringing multiple benefits to the whole region.”The conference supports the vision of the Nordic prime ministers to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The fact that the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland participate in Nordic cooperation can serve as an example of the benefits of democratic structures and practices for all parties also in wider contexts.The conference is intended for diplomats and international audiences from both the Nordic countries and outside the region. Speakers at the conference include former President of Finland Tarja Halonen, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights at the UN Ilze Brands Kehris, ministers for Nordic cooperation, researchers and public officials.In connection with the conference on 7 December, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and the Åland Islands Peace Institute has published their research report on the participation of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland in Nordic cooperation. The conference will be held at 13.30–17.30 Finnish time. A webcast of the event will be available on YouTube. The programme of the meeting is available here Read more about the research report on the website of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Climate Policy Roundtable meets to discuss low-carbon construction

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its 12th meeting on Thursday 9 December. The main theme is low-carbon construction.Construction and buildings produce about a third of Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from the construction sector must be reduced to make sure that Finland will be able to reach its national and international climate targets. The topics to be discussed at the Climate Policy Roundtable include how we can boost the transition to low-carbon construction while at the same time ensuring social justice. The members will also consider what kind of incentives the regions, municipalities, cities, companies and sectoral organisations would need.“To achieve the target of a carbon-neutral Finland by 2035, climate actions are needed in all sectors of society. Emission reductions in the built environment have a key role in this. Houses built today will still be standing in 2100. This is why a low-carbon built environment must be designed and promoted with foresight and a long-term perspective,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari, who chairs the Roundtable.Roadmap for low-carbon construction: climate study for buildings, emission limits for new buildingsMost of the emissions from the built environment are associated with the energy consumed by buildings. As new buildings are already highly energy efficient, the perspective must be extended to construction materials and emissions during the entire life cycle of the building.The aim of the roadmap to low-carbon construction prepared at the Ministry of the Environment since 2016 is that, by the mid-2020s, the life cycle carbon footprint of buildings would be regulated by law.The key elements of the roadmap include climate studies for buildings and carbon budgets for new buildings. The climate studies would show the climate impacts of the entire life cycle of a new building and of extensive renovation of a building and the time after that. The climate studies of buildings would serve as the basis for emission limits to be set for new buildings. The draft Decree of the Ministry of the Environment on the climate study for buildings was circulated for comments in summer 2021. This Decree is part of the process to reform the Land Use and Building Act. The deadline for submitting comments on this ended on 7 December.The Climate Policy Roundtable brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from different sectors of society. The purpose of the Roundtable is to create a common understanding of how Finland can make a just transition to a carbon neutral society by 2035. With its work, the Roundtable supports the preparation and implementation of Finland’s national climate policy.To follow the work of the Roundtable in social media use #ilmastonpyöreäpöytä and #hiilineutraali2035.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Study: Why is labour productivity development lagging in Finland? “Plenty of room for improvement in resource reallocation”

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Labour productivity in Finland’s national economy has been stagnating at the 2007 level for more than a decade. How is the development of labour productivity affected by resource allocation and structural changes in different sectors? According to a study published on 8 December, there is room for improvement when it comes to resource allocation, but the strongest factor behind productivity growth is the favourable development of individual businesses.The favourable development of productivity is the most important factor for long-term economic growth, which is why research literature has long tried to identify the sources of productivity growth. Effective allocation of labour and capital is one of the key questions in economics, and research has sought solutions to the causes and consequences of inefficient allocation.A new study commissioned by the Government reveals that the reallocation of resources has failed to promote productivity growth in the Finnish business sector. The study examines the impacts of the allocation of labour and capital and structural changes in various sectors on the development of labour productivity in Finland’s manufacturing and service sectors, information and communication technology industry, and the business sector as a whole in 2000-2018.“Further improvements are needed when it comes to resource allocation,” says Chief Research Scientist Terhi Maczulskij from the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy ETLA, who was responsible for the project.“While the role of resources reallocation in productivity has increased slightly over time, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Inefficient allocation of inputs between sectors also weakens productivity growth in the business sector as a whole,” says Maczulskij.The study revealed differences between the sectors, but also several similarities. Favourable development within individual businesses is the main driver of productivity, especially during an economic upturn. Most of the productivity growth observed in the study took place within firms with ongoing operations, where reallocation has clearly played a secondary role.During a recession, however, the reallocation of inputs between firms with ongoing operations is highlighted, which shows that creative destruction plays a stronger role. Creative destruction itself is an important mechanism for productivity growth, whereby old businesses, products and occupations disappear, making way for new, better and more productive ones.“It should also be noted that in the ICT sector, the reallocation of labour and capital has actually had significant negative impacts on productivity growth. This may be explained by the fact that some companies in the sector invest heavily and grow their size before they become more productive,” says ETLA Researcher Paolo Fornaro.The study was conducted by the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy ETLA and Aalto University. The report is part of the implementation of the 2021 Government plan for analysis, assessment and research and serves the needs of the Economic Council in particular.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Defence Forces to upgrade fire control system on Leopard 2 main battle tanks

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Defence Forces to sign an agreement with the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co KG to upgrade the fire control system of the Army’s Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 main battle tanks. The work is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2022 and to be completed during 2026.

The performance of Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 battle tanks procured from Germany and the Netherlands will be upgraded. The expert resources of Millog Oy, the strategic partner of the Defence Forces, will also be used for installation work and logistics, with a domestic employment effect of approximately 3 to 4 person-years.

The overall value of the procurement, with options and without value added tax, is about EUR 10 million. It will be financed by the funds for defence materiel procurement that are budgeted for this purpose.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

SpaceFinland website compiles the most interesting space news from Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Finland wants to be actively involved in the growing space sector. In future, the most interesting news about space-related research and business activities as well as Finland’s space administration and international cooperation will be available on the new website.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and Business Finland have launched the SpaceFinland website, which compiles all activities and current news related to the space sector in three languages.“The space sector is developing rapidly and the transformation it is undergoing, known as New Space, attracts new operators around the world. The new SpaceFinland website aims to gather the most interesting and current news so that everyone interested in space can find them easily,” says Tuija Ypyä, Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.Finland carries out a great deal of high-quality research on space and atmosphere, and we have a lot of expertise in electronics and software related to space components, for example. The objective of Finland’s space strategy is that in 2025 Finland will be the world’s most attractive and agile space business environment that benefits all companies operating here.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Digitalisation and transformation of work pose new demands on integration measures – Nordic countries to share best practices at ministerial meeting  

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Digitalisation, new forms of working, growing skills requirements and demographic change require an even better integration policy. The Nordic ministers responsible for integration will discuss integration at a virtual meeting organised by Finland in its role as President of the Nordic Council of Ministers.At the informal meeting, the Nordic ministers will discuss the latest issues on integration in the different countries. The ministers will also discuss the effects of the transformation of work and digitalisation, based on two reports published by the Nordic Council of Ministers: The Future of Work in the Nordic Countries and Digital Transformations of Traditional Work in the Nordic Countries. 
The rapid advance of automation and digitalisation requires additional skills from everyone, both in everyday life and in the labour market. Low- and intermediate-level jobs are disappearing while the number of high-skilled jobs is growing. This means that employees are required to have better language and communication skills and to master abstract thinking and problem-solving.  
We need to make sure that everyone is on board
More attention must also be paid to digital skills and education in the development of integration. Furthermore, digitalisation also offers an opportunity to improve integration services, provided the potential of technology can be properly exploited. “With a successful integration policy, we can keep everyone involved in the transformation, and harness technology to improve services. The ministerial meeting is an excellent opportunity to hear what kind of solutions individual Nordic countries have found to promote integration,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen, representing Finland. Successful integration supports competitiveness 
A virtual conference to be held in connection with the meeting will discuss how successful integration supports the Nordic countries’ competitiveness and traditionally strong social equality. The ministerial conference and accompanying conference will be held on 7–8 December 2021. The informal ministerial meeting will be attended by the ministers responsible for the integration from the Nordic countries and the autonomous territories. At the virtual conference associated with the meeting, integration experts, digitalisation specialists,  companies, and representatives of labour market organisations will exchange ideas.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Prime Minister Marin’s second COVID-19 test negative

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The COVID-19 test taken by Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Monday 6 December has come back negative. The Prime Minister will return to the office on 7 December.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Instructions to ministers concerning Foreign Minister Haavisto’s coronavirus infection

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Due to the positive coronavirus test result received by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto on Saturday evening, the Government has implemented precautionary measures.The Director of Government Security has instructed ministers and certain public officials to avoid contacts as a precautionary measure until further notice. In addition, these persons have been instructed to take a coronavirus test before returning to work at the office. As a result of these instructions, some ministers’ programmes will change in the next few days.Parliament has been informed of the matter, and other persons who have been in contact with the Minister for Foreign Affairs have been approached directly and through public information.
Haavisto will work remotely from his home for the time being.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto has received positive result from the coronavirus test

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Minister for Foreign Affairs is asymptomatic. For the time being, he is working remotely from his home.The Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs have launched the necessary measures.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Prime Minister of Sweden to visit Helsinki

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Prime Minister of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson, will visit Finland on Wednesday, 8 December, at the invitation of Prime Minister Sanna Marin. During her visit, Prime Minister Andersson will also meet with President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.Prime Minister Marin and Prime Minister Andersson will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and topical EU issues.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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