Working group preparing Foreign Service reform completes its final report

An internal working group of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, appointed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, has completed its final report on a reform of the Foreign Service. The group presented its report to the Minister on 1 December 2023.

The reform is needed because of the fundamental change in the foreign and security policy environment. The working group was tasked with reviewing all aspects that are central to the Foreign Ministry’s duties, goals and practices. 

In its final report, the working group gives recommendations regarding six themes: management, resources, practices, competence development, the Ministry’s organisational structure, and network of missions. The recommendations take into account that the reform will be implemented in a budget-neutral way. The report does not propose any changes to the ministerial portfolios, which were politically agreed on when the Government was at its constitutive phase.

“Finland’s foreign policy is prepared and implemented by a group of committed and competent people. I believe that once we start implementing the working group’s recommendations next year, we will be able to transform the Foreign Ministry into an organisation that performs even better than before and that focuses on strategic goals and is an inspiring place to work,” says State Secretary Lauri Tierala who chaired the working group.

The implementation of the recommendations will be advanced together with the Cooperation Board and by involving the personnel.