Embassy of Finland in Australia - Suomen suurlähetystö Australia

The Embassy of Finland in Canberra will be closed on Friday, 19 June 2026, in observance of Midsummer Eve. For emergency consular assistance, please contact the Foreign Ministry's 24/7 telephone service on +358 9 1605 5555.

Ambassador Arto Haapea was recently joined by the Finnish community at his residence to celebrate two remarkable Australian Finns, Mr Mikko Pekkala and Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman, who were recently awarded the Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose of Finland by the President of the Republic of Finland.

Mikko and Tuire have both played a central role in the Australian Finnish community over the past decades by organising events, supporting community initiatives, promoting Finland in various ways, and simply bringing people together. And their work goes beyond maintaining connections within the Finnish diaspora—it also serves to introduce and celebrate Finnish culture among wider Australian audiences. In doing so, they have truly “flown the Finnish flag high,” acting as proud ambassadors of Finland in their daily lives. Both Mikko and Tuire agreed that their recognition is at the same time a recognition to all members who show up and take responsibility for their community—this work is all the more important, the further away from Finland we are.

Warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks, Mikko and Tuire, for all you do for Finland! 🇫🇮

A warm welcome to Dr Suvi Viljanen, Finland’s new Honorary Consul in Christchurch, with jurisdiction over the South Island of New Zealand 🇳🇿. Having been an active member of the Finnish community in Christchurch for many years, she will bring valuable experience as well as new energy to the role. Congratulations and welcome to the Team Finland network, Suvi!

At the same time, a big thank you to two of our long-serving Honorary Consuls on the South Island, Sir Jim Mann, former Honorary Consul of Finland in Dunedin, and
Mr Brent Rawstron, former Honorary Consul of Finland in Christchurch, for your dedicated service in representing Finland, and for everything you have done to forge closer 🇫🇮🇳🇿 relations.

Last week in Melbourne, Ambassador Arto Haapea, together with local consular corps, Finnish community, friends and family, celebrated the long service of Finland's Honorary Consul-General, Andrew Fairley AM, and welcomed Elina Wilson as the new Honorary Consul for Finland in Victoria.

In his remarks, Andrew Fairley highlighted how much he has learned about Finnish resilience and innovation over his decades of representing Finland, while Elina Wilson spoke about the similarities between Finland and Victoria, starting from the bedrock. It is great to see the relations between Finland and Victoria continue to strengthen and flourish.

Thank you for your dedication and service to Finland, Andrew! And congratulations and good luck, Elina!

Earlier this week, Ambassador Arto Haapea attended the 5th EU-Papua New Guinea Business Forum together with six top-notch Finnish companies and agencies:

🔹️ Nokia - trusted connectivity
🔹️ Wärtsilä Energy - sustainable power generation & grid stabilising
🔹️ Metso - mining equipment & minerals processing
🔹️ Finnfund - development financing & impact investment
🔹️ Finnish Overseas Consultants (FinnOC) - infrastructure and environmental assessment
🔹️ Kemppi - welding equipment & machinery

More than 300 participants took part in the Business Forum under the theme "Investment, Connectivity and Growth in Papua New Guinea". The Forum was opened by Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Hon. James Marape who shared his vision for sustainable and inclusive development. Ambassador Haapea was also pleased to discuss Finland's interests in PNG with Hon. Sir Ano Pala, Minister for National Planning.

Congratulations and a big thank you to Ambassador Erika Hasznos, her deputy Stéphanie Vaddé and their capable team at European Union in Papua New Guinea, as well the International Trade Centre for organising such an excellent event!

Last Friday in Perth, Ambassador Arto Haapea, together with active members of the Finnish community, local Consular corps and WA officials, celebrated the retirement of Finland's former Honorary Consul General Ross Norgard, and the handover to newly appointed Honorary Consul of Finland in Western Australia, Markku Hakala. A big thank you to Metso and Jonathan Hatswell for hosting the event!

In addition to celebrating the changeover, the event highlighted the importance of honorary consuls as part of our work in this continent of a country. On behalf of the Embassy, the Honorary Consul helps Finns in need of assistance and supports the Finnish community to connect and stay active. Importantly, the Honorary Consul also assists Finnish companies in the area and helps to promote Finnish culture.

Thank you, Ross, and congratulations and good luck, Markku! 🇫🇮 🇦🇺

Ambassador joined panelists Dr , Dr Djalal and Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC GAICD at the opening session of the Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) Conference, contributing to a timely topic of strengthening regional security together.

Here’s what stood out 👇
🇫🇮🇦🇺 Indo-Pacific stability and Finland’s economic and national security are interconnected, be it supply chains, maritime security or critical infrastructure.
🇫🇮🇦🇺 Finland and Australia are trusted partners across all things critical: defence, quantum technology, space and satellites, critical minerals, or communications networks.
🇫🇮🇦🇺 National Resilience resonates deeply in both countries, forming a natural area of collaboration between likeminded countries, also highlighted in Australia’s updated National Defence Strategy.
🇫🇮🇦🇺 Progress on the Free Trade Agreement, Security and Defence Partnership and Horizon Europe brings our regions closer and strengthens Finland’s ability to contribute to regional security.

During IODS, the Ambassador also met with Australia’s Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN, to discuss how Finland and Australia can work together in the Indo-Pacific, and met WA Minister of Defence Hon .papalia.

Finland was well represented at IODS, the third defence focused-delegation to Australia in a year, reflecting long-term cooperation, and representing maritime resilience and survivability capabilities. The three companies in the Ambassador’s delegation, , Bertin Environics, and Marioff were also at the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition, demonstrating sustained engagement 🤝

🇫🇮🤝🇦🇺 Great to have Dr Christian Hirst, First Assistant Secretary for Europe at the Australian , visit Helsinki for Australia–Finland Senior Officials’ talks, alongside Ms Frances Sagala, Australia’s Ambassador to Finland! Together with Director General for Asia and Oceania at Jari Sinkari and Ministry colleagues, discussions involved strengthening our bilateral partnership, from deepening trade and investment opportunities to reinforcing our shared commitment to multilateralism and support for Ukraine. 🇫🇮🇦🇺
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