“The organisational restructuring of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs reflects the current geopolitical reality and groups together foreign policy themes. We will also enhance our practices and strengthen our culture of cooperation,” says Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara.
The reform is based on the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government, and it was launched in autumn 2023. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen appointed an internal working group at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to prepare recommendations. The working group submitted its final report to Minister Valtonen on 1 December 2023. On 26 January 2024, the Foreign Ministry’s management group decided to proceed with the implementation of the Foreign Service reform.
In parallel to the Foreign Service reform, preparations are underway for strengthening the Foreign Ministry’s role in the public activities to promote exports, as set out in the Government Programme. Supporting Finnish companies in the growth markets is particularly important. Decisions have yet to be made on reforming export promotion, but if implemented, the reform would have an effect on the Foreign Ministry’s activities and the required changes would be taken account of in the later stages of the Foreign Service reform.
Good interaction within the Cooperation Board and with the entire staff is essential when preparing for the implementation. The reform is about reorganising resources in a way that allows for flexibility in changing world situations. Staff will not be made redundant.
Inquiries
- Jukka Salovaara, Permanent State Secretary, tel. +358 295 350 431