Finnish Delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic region 

The Speaker's Council appoints the Finnish delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic region for each electoral term. Members of the delegation include Heikki Autto (National Coalition Party Parliamentary Group), Mari-Leena Talvitie (National Coalition Party Parliamentary Group), Sara Seppänen (Finns Party Parliamentary Group), Jaana Strandman (Finns Party Parliamentary Group), Niina Malm (Social Democratic Parliamentary Group) and Olga Oinas-Panuma (Centre Party Parliamentary Group). Parliament's International Department acts as the secretariat of the delegation.

The main goal of ​parliamentary cooperation in the Arctic is to improve the living conditions of the people living in the region. The first Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region took place in 1993. Normally, the Nordic countries, Canada, Russia and the United States as well as the European Parliament participate in the Conference. From February 2022, Russia has not been invited to the parliamentary meetings due to Russia's attack on Ukraine. However, other Arctic countries have continued their meetings and cooperation. Permanent participants include key organisations of indigenous peoples in the region.

The importance of Arctic cooperation has grown in recent years both in Finland and internationally. The challenges in the region are multidimensional, and it is important to find solutions to them together, also in parliamentary forums.


Standing Committee 

The Conference meets every other year. Between conferences work is directed by the ten-member Standing Committee. The Finnish delegation elects one member to the Standing Committ​​ee. The Standing Committee usually meets twice a year.