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Changes to Finland's network of missions abroad

Finnish Government

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Publication date 28.11.2025
Type:Press release

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is reforming its network of missions abroad. In the first stage of its strategic review, the Ministry strengthened Finland's presence in the United States by establishing a Consulate General in Houston. In the next stage, the Ministry will open commercial offices in locations where Business Finland previously had an office. At the same time, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has started preparations for closing the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon. The plan is to close the embassies during 2026.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs regularly reviews how well Finland's network of missions abroad meets current and future needs. This year, the Ministry launched a strategic review of the network of missions, which takes into account Finland's foreign and security policy interests and the needs of Team Finland's export promotion activities. As a result of the review, the Ministry will make proposals on the closing and opening of missions. The aim is to concentrate resources on countries that are strategically important to Finland.

"We will systematically develop Finland's network of missions abroad to meet future challenges. Our operating environment is changing rapidly. The changes to be made will help us to build a stronger and more competitive Finland and to manage Finland's external relations in accordance with our priorities," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

In the first stage, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs strengthened its presence on a key export market for Finland in the United States by establishing a Consulate General in Houston this year. The Ministry is currently preparing to open commercial offices during 2026 in some locations where Business Finland previously had an office.

The long-term development of the network of missions abroad also means that some missions will be closed. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to close the embassies of Finland in Islamabad, Kabul and Yangon in 2026. Decisions on closures are made by a decree of the President of the Republic. The embassies will be closed for operational and strategic reasons, which are linked to changes in the countries' political situation and their limited commercial and economic relations with Finland.