Global cooperation

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health prepares international policies within its branch of government, participates in preparing agreements and formulating policy approaches and sees to their implementation and monitoring in Finland.

This work is based on cooperation with other states, international organisations and other stakeholders, as well as on active exchange of information about issues such as cross-border threats and responses to them and about the development of health and social policy based on knowledge and scientific research. It focuses, in particular, on health, social protection, gender equality, non-discrimination, occupational safety and health, and human rights.

Ministry influences health and social policy and gender equality issues at the UN

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the work of UN bodies in respect of its branch of government. It influences international policies and decisions regarding issues such as social development, global health, ageing, mental health, the status of women, drug policy, human rights and sustainable development.

The Ministry’s cooperation with the UN also places emphasis on social protection, inclusion and the rights of children, young people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people.

The Ministry monitors and implements UN human rights treaties, action plans and recommendations in Finland within its branch of government. In addition, it prepares national reports on the situation in Finland and submits opinions to the UN, its specialised agencies and other bodies.

As part of the Government, the Ministry also participates in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in the related reporting. The goals of the 2030 Agenda are related in many ways to the Ministry’s branch of government, such as health, social protection, gender equality and non-discrimination. 

WHO is Finland’s key partner in health policy

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the most important international partner for Finland in issues regarding the development and assessment of health policy. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is the ministry responsible for cooperation between Finland and the WHO. It is therefore responsible for Finland’s participation and policy positions in the WHO. It coordinates this cooperation in its branch of government together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, other ministries and key expert institutions.

Finland is committed to international objectives that promote global health. A key objective in this respect is the goal of the 2030 Agenda regarding health and wellbeing.

Through its cooperation with the WHO, Finland promotes, in particular, health security, the resilience of health systems, the One Health approach, measures to combat antimicrobial resistance, the prevention of non-communicable diseases, mental health, the reduction of health inequalities, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights and digital health. In addition, Finland has worked consistently to ensure that consideration is given to the reciprocity between a sustainable economy and people’s wellbeing across all policies. This work is also guided by human rights, non-discrimination and gender equality.

The WHO enables fast and reliable exchange of information on international health emergencies. It produces research and statistical data, recommendations and international standards that can be used in national health policy, the work of public authorities and preparedness. The WHO also maintains the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

WHO membership supports public health promotion, health security and evidence-based health policy. It also gives Finland an opportunity to influence international health policies.

There are several WHO cooperation centres operating in Finland, mainly at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and at Tampere University. Their work focuses on areas such as global health policy, non-communicable diseases, mental health, the development of nursing care, and environmental health. 

WHO Pandemic Agreement and International Health Regulations

The Ministry participates in the work concerning the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the International Health Regulations. They aim to strengthen countries’ preparedness for pandemics and other cross-border health emergencies.

The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted at the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025. However, negotiations are still ongoing concerning an annex to the Pandemic Agreement that will establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System.

The International Health Regulations (IHR) are a key international legal instrument currently in force that covers measures for preparing for, and responding to, cross-border health emergencies. In Finland, the amendments to the IHR were adopted nationally in 2025.

Ministry prepares ILO-related matters within its remit

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialised UN agency promoting social justice, labour rights and social policy. It aims to strengthen labour and social protection standards, improve opportunities for decent work, ensure basic social security for all and reinforce social dialogue and tripartism.

The ILO drafts and adopts international labour conventions and recommendations and supports its member states in implementing and monitoring them.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is primarily responsible for Finland’s cooperation with the ILO.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for matters that concern social protection, occupational safety and health and gender equality and fall within the ILO’s mandate. 

The Ministry is active particularly in promoting occupational safety and health, gender equality and universal social protection and in UN processes that strengthen social development. 

OECD produces information to support the Ministry’s work 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the work of the OECD committees and working parties dealing with health, social and insurance policies and in the preparation of matters concerning the insurance markets.

The OECD’s analyses, statistics and policy recommendations support the Ministry’s work at national level and provide internationally comparable information on health and social policy. 

OECD themes important to the Ministry’s branch of government include health policy, social policy, insurance matters and the wellbeing economy.

Nordic and regional cooperation

Nordic cooperation is guided by a shared vision adopted in 2019, according to which the Nordic region will be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. 

Nordic cooperation seeks solutions to issues where the countries can achieve more together than by working on their own. The Baltic countries are also becoming increasingly involved in this cooperation. 

The Ministry participates in the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers in the fields of health and social policy, gender equality, occupational safety and health, and foodstuffs. Cooperation on social and health policy covers areas such as the development of welfare systems, health promotion, inclusion, and preparedness and readiness.

Cooperation on gender equality and LGBTI matters focuses on topics such as combating of gender-based violence, gender equality among men and boys, and equal pay. Nordic cooperation to advance gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and the rights of LGBTI people has strengthened. This cooperation also responds to the growing anti-gender movement that opposes gender equality and non-discrimination.

Nordic institutions produce up-to-date information, publish reports and statistics and organise events. Read more about their work:

Nordic agreements 

Nordic agreements on social security, social services and public health preparedness facilitate the movement of people between the Nordic countries and support cooperation during emergencies and incidents.

The Nordic Public Health Preparedness Agreement strengthens cooperation in providing healthcare and social welfare in the event of emergencies and disasters. The agreement supports, among other things, information exchange, development of preparedness systems, and training and exercise cooperation.

Nordic project funding

The Nordic Council of Ministers grants funding for projects that create Nordic added value and are anchored in the Council’s vision. 

Read more about the project process and the conditions: https://www.norden.org/en/information/how-apply-funding-nordic-council-ministers

Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) manages two funds on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The funds aim to promote Nordic cooperation in the fields of gender equality and LGBTI rights. Applications for funding are invited once a year. 

Human rights

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the implementation of international human rights treaties within its branch of government. In practice, this work includes preparing periodic reports and dealing with human rights applications and complaints.  

For the Ministry’s branch of government, the key themes in human rights treaties include gender equality, the right to occupational safety and health, health, social services, social security and the rights of children and persons with disabilities.