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Council of Europe The areas of cooperation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in the Council of Europe (CoE) include: Roma issues the rights of persons with disabilities children’s rights drug policy bioethics quality of medicines gender...

nordic cooperation

Kansallinen ikäohjelma vuoteen 2030 Tavoitteena ikäkyvykäs Suomi Periaatepäätös Valtioneuvosto, Helsinki 2022 Valtioneuvosto This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohi...

Barents Euro-Arctic Council The Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) works under the Trio Presidency of Finland, Sweden and Norway in 2024. Finland held the Presidency of the Council from 2021 to 2023. Finland also chaired the Joint Working Group on...

International cooperation on gender equality European Union Gender equality is promoted in the EU using legislation and gender equality policies. The promotion of equality between men and women and the elimination of discrimination are among the E...

Nordic cooperation Nordic cooperation involves Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The vision of the Nordic countries is to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the wor...

Responsible agencies Gender equality policy coordination in Finland comes under the auspices of the MSAH. There are two authorities based at the MSAH that promote gender equality. Equality Unit The Equality Unit is responsible for gender equality ...

International Affairs Unit The International Affairs Unit develops, plans and coordinates international affairs in the Ministry's administrative sector. The International Affairs Unit coordinates the administrative sector’s activities in intergove...

International and EU affairs The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch engage in proactive international and EU cooperation that promotes health and social policy. As part of the Government, the Ministry is responsibl...

Arctic cooperation

Occupational safety and health (OSH) The MSAH prepares and develops legislation and policies on OSH and deals with international cooperation in this field. The ministry also guides the occupational safety and health work of the The Finnish Supervi...

Municipalities are responsible for promoting health and wellbeing.

Roma policy in Finland The overall objective of Finland’s National Roma Policy is to promote the inclusion, participation and equality of the Roma in different spheres of life. The policy programme is a comprehensive action plan, prepared in coope...

Preparation of EU matters Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) The EPSCO Council, which brings together ministers from all EU Member States, decides on EU cooperation in employment, social policy, health, consumer...

Wellbeing services counties will be responsible for organising health, social and rescue services Wellbeing services counties will be responsible for organising healthcare, social welfare and rescue services in Finland. There are 21 wellbeing serv...

EU regulation and cooperation in the tobacco policy The EU Directive concerning tobacco products and the EU Directive concerning advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products have been implemented in Finnish tobacco legislation. Directive 2014/4...

Healthcare and social welfare system and responsibilities Finland’s healthcare and social welfare system is founded on public healthcare and social welfare services funded from tax revenue. Alongside the public sector, private companies provide he...

Chemical oversight Chemicals legislation prevents harm caused by chemicals Chemicals legislation prevents harm caused by chemicals to health and the environment. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general guidance, mo...

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman The Finns Party Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman is responsible for all other matters covered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, ...

The 11th annual Gender Equality Days (Tasa-arvopäivät) were organised on 8-9 October 2025 at the Clarion Hotel Aviapolis in Vantaa. 

Barentsin euroarktinen neuvosto Barentsin euroarktisen neuvoston (Barents Euro–Arctic Council, BEAC) puheenjohtajina toimivat vuonna 2024 kolmikantaisesti Suomi, Ruotsi ja Norja. Vuosien 2021-2023 puheenjohtajana oli Suomi. Suomi toimi myös neuvos...

Barents euroarktiska råd År 2024 innehas ordförandeskapet för Barents euroarktiska råd (Barents Euro–Arctic Council, BEAC) på trepartsbasis av Finland, Sverige och Norge. Under åren 2021–2023 var Finland ordförandeland. Under åren 2022–2023 var Fi...

Social security internationally The Finnish social security system is largely based on residence in Finland. A person arriving in Finland for work purposes is entitled to residence-based benefits even if they do not live in Finland. The entitlemen...

European Committee of Social Rights The European Committee of Social Rights is an impartial investigative body working within the Council of Europe. The Committee investigates whether or not the countries that have ratified the European Social Cha...

NAPE – Committee for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence The Committee for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (NAPE) is responsible for the coordination,monitoring and evaluation of the measures required unde...

Internationellt jämställdhetssamarbete Främjande av jämställdhet inom EU Inom EU främjas jämställdheten med hjälp av lagstiftning och jämställdhetspolitik. Främjande av jämställdhet mellan kvinnor och män och undanröjande av bristande jämställdhet...

Kansainvälinen ja EU-yhteistyö EU:ssa tasa-arvoa edistetään lainsäädännön ja tasa-arvopolitiikan avulla. Naisten ja miesten välisen tasa-arvon edistäminen ja eriarvoisuuden poistaminen ovat unionin johtavia periaatteita. Ne on kirjattu Euroopan un...

Euroopan neuvosto Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön yhteistyöalueita Euroopan neuvostossa (EN, Council of Europe) ovat muun muassa: romaniasiat vammaisten henkilöiden oikeudet lasten oikeudet huumepolitiikka bioetiikka lääkkeiden laatukysymykset tas...

Preventing domestic and intimate partner violence The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for planning and guiding the prevention of domestic and family violence. The aim is to prevent violence and develop the nationwide service s...

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Decree on the prescription of medicines (1088/2010), special attention must be given to the safety of pharmaceuticals.

Hallitusohjelmassa painotetaan, että erityisiä toimia kohdistetaan romanien koulutustason ja työllisyyden edistämiseen, asumisongelmien ratkaisemiseen sekä romanilasten, -nuorten ja -perheiden osallisuuden edistämiseen.

Europarådet Social- och hälsovårdsministeriets samarbetsområden i Europarådet (EN, Council of Europe): romska ärenden rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning barnets rättigheter narkotikapolitik bioetik läkemedelskvalitet jämställdhetsfr...

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen The National Coalition Party Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen is responsible for matters covered by the Department for Insurance and Social Secu...

Drug policy Finland makes use of social policy, national legislation and international agreements to prevent the demand and supply of drugs reduce the harm caused by drugs ensure that people with drug problems receive treatment as early as possibl...

Occupational health and safety legislation is crucial to promoting employees' physical and mental health, as well as conditions of employment.

Health promotion The MSAH has a general responsibility for guiding and overseeing health promotion in Finland. Health promotion is based on the Health Care Act and is part of public health activity. Health promotion is also regulated by legislatio...

Cosmetic products Cosmetic product legislation ensures that the products are safe for human health. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the general guidance, monitoring and development of operations pursuant to the Act on ...

United Nations (UN) The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health takes part in shaping Finland’s UN policy with respect to social, health and gender equality affairs. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the preparation of conven...

Department for Work and Gender Equality The Department for Work and Gender Equality (TTO) guides and directs the supervision and administration of occupational safety and health, drafts legislation and policies on occupational safety and health, a...

Prevention of human trafficking The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health aims to prevent social problems caused by trafficking in human beings and to identify and help victims. The Ministry’s responsibilities include ensuring that victims of traf...

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is preparing regulation on service choices in both healthcare and social welfare.

Government branch The administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health includes several independent institutions and agencies, which implement the ministry’s objectives in society and participate in Government Programme projects....

9.3.2026 | EU ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 March. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

Rational, or sensible, pharmacotherapy is effective, safe, of high quality, economical and equal.

Yhdistyneet kansakunnat YK Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö osallistuu Suomen YK-politiikkaan sosiaali-, terveys- ja tasa-arvopolitiikan asiantuntijana. STM osallistuu omalle hallinnonalalleen kuuluvien sopimusten valmisteluun ja vastaa niiden täytä...

Politiken avseende romer i Finland Ett av syftena med Finlands program för romsk politik är att främja romers delaktighet, inkludering och jämlikhet inom olika livsområden. Programmet är ett övergripande åtgärdsprogram som har utarbetats i samarbe...

Förenta nationerna (FN) Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet deltar i Finlands FN-politik så som expert i social-, hälso- och jämlikhetspolitik. Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet deltar i beredningen av de avtal som hör till dess förvaltningsområde o...

Radiation protection In Finland, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has supreme authority in supervising compliance with the Radiation Act, and it directs the protection of the public, workers and patients from harmful radiation. The Minist...

Pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical service The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the development of pharmaceutical services and for preparation of legislation on pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical services are an integral part ...

Violence against children and its prevention The authorities work to prevent violence against children in many ways and in broad cooperation with various parties. The key national plans coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health incl...

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health steers and develops chemicals legislation, which also covers colourants and auxiliary ingredients used in tattoos and permanent pigmentations.

3.12.2024 | Resilience and the report on the future of European competitiveness are on the agenda at the Health Council meeting in Brussels on 3 December 2024. On Finland's initiative, the meeting will also discuss the health sector’s role as part of the preparedness union strategy. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

International examples to help Finland create governance model for wellbeing economy 4.12.2025 8.46 The economy of wellbeing offers tools for policy makers to secure the preconditions for a good life both for the current population and future gene...

Secondary use of health and social data A separate law has be laid down on the secondary use of health and social data (Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data). The purpose of the Act is to facilitate the effective and safe processing ...

RDI Growth Programme for Health and Wellbeing The aim of the RDI Growth Programme for Health and Wellbeing is to support the wellbeing services counties in renewing themselves in order for them to better promote people’s health and wellbeing and i...

The Committee for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (NAPE) is the coordination body required under the Council of Europe Convention (Finnish Treaty Series 53/2015, the so‑called Istanbul Convention), responsible for the coordination, monitoring and impact assessment of the measures necessary for the Convention’s implementation. [This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]

1.12.2025 | The EU ministers will attend the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2025. On both days, Finland will be represented by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso.

Amended legislation on health checks for children and young adults Categories: Publication date: 22.12.2025 The timing and content of health checks at child health clinics and schools, and in student healthcare and oral healthcare will be regulate...

9.4.2026 | 1 ADI-ROM(2025)26 Restricted Strasbourg, 9 March 2026 COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA AND TRAVELLER1 ISSUES (ADI-ROM) 13th meeting Strasbourg, 1-2 April 2026 Explanatory Memorandum Recommendation to the member States on desegregation and inclusion po...

6.3.2026 | The 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will take place in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026. Finland will be represented at the session by a broad-based delegation led by Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, who is responsible for gender equality issues.

7.10.2025 | The Nordic ministers responsible for gender equality and LGBTI will meet in Hämeenlinna on 7 October. The meeting will be chaired by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

18.2.2026 | 1 Joint conference statement Roma and Sinti Women in the Public Sphere: Turning Voices into Change 3 December 2025 I. Core values of equality and human rights We, the participants of the multi-country conference “Roma and Sinti Women in the Public...

8.10.2025 | Gender Equality Days is the main annual event in the field of gender equality in Finland, and this year it will be organised as part of the programme for Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the UN World Conference on Women in 1995.

6.10.2025 | Preparedness and data-driven decision-making in the field of pharmaceuticals were the key topics of discussion at a conference organised by Finland in Helsinki on 30 September–1 October 2025 as part of its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

25.11.2025 | Finland will publish its new national Action Plan for the Istanbul Convention on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The objective of the Istanbul Convention is to ensure that every girl and woman has a future without violence. Finland’s new action plan, covering the years 2026–2033, outlines several long-term objectives and lists altogether 37 practical measures.

29.11.2024 | The EU’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on 2 December 2024. Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

6.6.2025 | ​​​​​​​The Baltic Pride Conference, taking place in Vilnius on 6 June, will discuss the inclusion and rights of LGBTI people. The event will be opened by State Secretary Laura Rissanen as part of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

9.4.2025 | Prime Minister Orpo’s Government has set an objective of adjusting public sector activities to ensure that the national economy is on a sustainable footing. At the moment, it looks like it will be difficult to achieve this objective over the next few years though. The decision-makers in the wellbeing services counties are in a key role here. Reaching fiscal balance in general government finances is essential.

27.11.2024 | The Nordic ministers responsible for gender equality and LGBTI issues met in Stockholm today on 27 November 2024. The meeting discussed, among other things, how gender equality and human rights are weakening globally. Finland was represented at the meeting by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

5.12.2025 | 1 Classified as ECDC NORMAL Appendix 10 - Country follow-up to ECDC PHEPA recommendations Following the PHEPA mission conducted in your country, the final ECDC assessment report includes a series of recommendations aiming at supporting your countr...

19.6.2024 | The EU ministers will meet at the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 20 and 21 June 2024. The items of the ministers' agenda include the social dimension of the single market, the revision of pharmaceutical legislation, the health sector's role in crisis preparedness, and the possibility of adopting a Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers.

15.11.2024 | The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU will hold an informal meeting of the ministers responsible for demography in Budapest on 18 and 19 November 2024. The meeting will exchange views on the basis of background documents prepared by the presidency. No decisions will be made at the informal meeting. Director General Annakaisa Iivari will represent Finland at the meeting.

13.2.2026 | Together Against Cancer – Human-Centred Cancer Prevention and Care National Cancer Strategy 2026–2035 Finland National Cancer Strategy 2026–2035 Contents Summary 3 Strategic objectives 5 Current situation and operating environment 6 Cancer in Finl...

5.12.2025 | Country report: ECDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment for Finland, 2024 Under Article 8 of the Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 ASSESSMENT ECDC ASSESSMENT Country report: ECDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment for Finland, 20...

6.9.2024 | On 6 September 2024, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health gave an account of the further preparation of the reform concerning the system of hospitals and emergency care services and the division of duties in specialised healthcare. The Ministry also gave an account of the more than 100 (around 140) comments that were received on the reform.

Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle laiksi lapsiin liittyvien rikosepäilyjen selvittämisessä avustavista terveydenhuollon yksiköistä ESITYKSEN PÄÄASIALLINEN SISÄLTÖ Esityksessä ehdotetaan säädettäväksi laki lapsiin liittyvien rikosepäilyjen selvittämi...

Perustelumuistio 13.1.2026 1(34) Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö Meritullinkatu 8, Helsinki | PL 33, 00023 Valtioneuvosto 0295 16001 | stm.fi | @STM_Uutiset Valtioneuvoston asetus neuvolapalveluista sekä koulu- ja opiskeluterveydenhuo Pääasiallinen...

6.9.2024 | 15 April 2024 Ministry of Social Affairs and Health policy on international and EU cooperation for 2024–2027 The policies of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on international and EU coopera- tion for 2024–2027 guide the Ministry and its a...

Regeringens proposition till riksdagen med förslag till lag om hälso- och sjukvårdsenheter som bistår vid utredning av misstänkta brott som gäller barn PROPOSITIONENS HUVUDSAKLIGA INNEHÅLL I denna proposition föreslås det att det stiftas en lag om...

3.1.2022 | On Tuesday, 30 November 2021, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Ministry of Justice co-organised a seminar on the wellbeing and safety of LGBTI people as part of the programme for the Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

10.11.2023 | MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND HEALTH AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF REPUBLIC OF FINLAND AND THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA CONCERNING PROMOTING ELECTRONIC ...

14.4.2026 | Sosiaaliturvakomitean arviointi- ja selvitysryhmä Selvitys yhdestä perusturvaetuudesta Näkökulmina rahoitus ja suhde ansioturvaan SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2026:1 Selvitys yhdestä perusturvaetuudesta Näkökulmina rahoitus ja suhde ansioturva...

8.12.2021 | The Nordic Welfare Forum will be held on 8–9 December 2021 as part of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. The Forum is one of the main events in the health and social sector during Finland’s Presidency.

9.12.2019 | The health aspects of the economy of wellbeing, better access to medicines and the EU’s role and priorities in global health cooperation were the main topics of the meeting of EU health ministers on 9 December. The meeting was chaired by Krista Kiuru, Finland’s Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services.

10.12.2019 | The Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on gender equality and occupational safety and health at the last meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council under Finland’s Presidency on 10 December. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Employment Timo Harakka.

27.11.2023 | The EU employment and social affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on 27–28 November to discuss, among other things, the European disability card. Other topics on the agenda include green collective bargaining, the EU action plan against racism, and social investment. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso will represent Finland at the meeting. 

5.12.2019 | The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will meet for the last time during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Brussels on 9–10 December. Health ministers will meet on the first day, and ministers responsible for employment, social affairs and gender equality on the second day.

11.12.2023 | The International Gender Equality Prize was awarded to the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, which works to promote and protect the rights of women in Afghanistan. The organisation does important humanitarian work to promote the safety of Afghan women.

17.4.2020 | The economy is in crisis. Wellbeing is unevenly distributed and not everyone has equal opportunities in society. We are concerned about the state of the environment. The world of work is changing, and ageing of population will change the demographic structure. Now, if ever, is the time to talk about wellbeing broadly.

23.11.2023 | The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU will hold an informal ministerial meeting on equality in Pamplona on 23–24 November 2023. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting. The meeting will focus on violence against women.

8.12.2021 | Webinar: Nordic Welfare Forum 2021 The Nordic model and social sustainability Date and time: 8-9 December, start at 1 pm on the 8th of December and end at 1 pm on 9th of December (EET time zone) Place: Online webinar Moderator: Jens Berg Program 8...

13.12.2023 | Suomi toimii parhaillaan Itämeren valtioiden neuvoston puheenjohtajana. Yksi Suomen tavoitteista on vahvistaa Itämeren maiden osaamista ja yhteistyötä lapsikaupan ja lapsiin kohdistuvan väkivallan ehkäisemiseksi. Työ on käynnistynyt asiantuntijatyöpajojen sarjalla.

13.12.2023 | Finland är för närvarande ordförande för Östersjöstaternas råd. Ett av Finlands mål är att stärka Östersjöländernas kompetens och samarbete när det gäller att förebygga barnhandel och våld mot barn. Arbetet har inletts med en serie expertworkshoppar.

8.12.2020 | The Government proposes that wellbeing services counties be established and healthcare, social welfare and rescue services be reformed. The proposed counties would be established as soon as possible after the passing and approval of the relevant bills. The bills would enter into force in stages, the first ones on 1 July 2021 and the last ones on 1 January 2023. However, Parliament needs to pass the legislative package before the reform can enter into force.

4.1.2016 | Finland took over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers on 1 January 2016. The Presidency will last the calendar year 2016 and culminate in the Nordic Council's week of sessions at the turn of October and November.

30.11.2023 | The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday 30 November 2023. The ministers will exchange views on safeguarding the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the field of health, particularly on how to ensure the availability of medicines in Europe. They will also approve conclusions on mental health. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

9.12.2022 | The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Friday 9 December to discuss mental health, vaccine procurements and cancer screening, among others. At the meeting, Finland will be represented by Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru.

28.11.2019 | Experts from several European countries and organisations met in Helsinki to explore how to accelerate the fight against work-related cancer. The cooperation will be further strengthened by continuing the Roadmap on Carcinogens campaign, which aims to raise awareness about carcinogens and reduce exposure to them. An agreement on the continuation of the campaign was signed in Helsinki on 28 November 2019.

22.10.2020 | A summary of comments received on the draft government proposal on the organisation of health, social and rescue services is published. It collates the main comments received during the consultation round on the draft government proposal. Respondents welcome the objectives of the reform and agree on its necessity.

17.9.2021 | Press conference on family leave reform, 17 September 2021 Minister Hanna Sarkkinen Minister Tuula Haatainen Family leave reform 1 | #perhevapaauudistus #familyleavereform • Significant investment in families with children • More flexibility and f...