Technology-related issues have become central to foreign and security policy as never before, and technologies have a growing importance as instruments for geopolitical and economic competition. In response to these challenges, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published Finland’s priorities for an international technology policy, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen has appointed Antti Vasara as Special Envoy for Technology.
Photo: Sakari Piippo, Finland Promotion Board
An international technology policy refers to a foreign policy that influences both global policy and cooperation in the field of technology. Finland’s international technology policy is based on key values such as human rights, equality, democracy and the rule of law. The policy’s key objectives and measures have been defined drawing on reports on foreign and security policy and reports on international economic relations and development cooperation.
While the technological transformation creates new opportunities for boosting the economy and people’s wellbeing, it also poses challenges. An international technology policy will create favourable conditions for:
safe technological development and applications
the Finnish technology sector’s growth and international ambitions
value-based technology governance, and
the harnessing of technology to support sustainable development.
Achieving the objectives of an international technology policy requires close cooperation between central government, the private sector, civil society and the research community. International cooperation is a prerequisite for Finland to be able to advocate for a responsible development of technologies and distribution of the benefits that arise.
“Finland’s status as a technologically advanced country makes us well positioned to exert influence globally. We have a long-term approach to basic research, industrial capabilities, advanced cooperation models and a plethora of high-tech growth companies. Our international technology policy will create opportunities for collaboration, markets, regulation and standards, which also support Finnish companies abroad,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Foreign Minister Valtonen has appointed Antti Vasara as her Special Envoy for Technology to promote the implementation of Finland’s international technology policy. The role of the Special Envoy is to bolster Finland’s profile in technology-related issues, support the Foreign Ministry’s global influencing activities and build technological cooperation that benefits Finland. This is a part-time position of trust.