The Mission Statement of the Permanent Mission is defined as follows:
The Permanent Mission of Finland to Geneva represents Finland and promotes its national interests in the international organizations, conferences and agreement processes in Geneva. It thus contributes to the strengthening of the preconditions for Finland's safety and well-being and acts for a safer and more just world.
In accordance with this statement, the Permanent Mission participates in the formulation and implementation of EU positions and policy, and influences organisations and processes attending to global governance. It acts in compliance with the guidelines given by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, taking into account the needs of other central government authorities, Finnish stakeholders, civil society and the media. The Permanent Mission reports on the activities and various processes of the international organizations based in Geneva to facilitate decision making in Finland, and makes assessments and analyses to this end.
In practice, the Mission Statement means active participation in the organisations and organs of the United Nations (including the Conference on Disarmament, CD) and the World Trade Organization based in Geneva. Regarding UN issues, the emphasis is on human rights, humanitarian affairs, global health issues, climate change and sustainable development with its different dimensions. Even though the European Commission represents the Member States of the European Union in trade negotiations, the Permanent Mission follows the negotiations closely and interferes with them if necessary. There are a great number of international nongovernmental organisations in Geneva, with which the Permanent Mission maintains close contacts.
The Finnish Mission functions as a two-way bridge between Finnish and international actors. In this role it wishes to serve Finnish authorities, organizations and citizens as well as possible.
Hannu Himanen
Ambassador
