Finland and US to discuss science and technology cooperation in Helsinki
Finland and the United States will convene in Helsinki on 19–20 September 2023 for a Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. The Committee monitors the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) previously signed by Finland and the US. The meeting will discuss R&D cooperation in a number of fields, including climate, energy, health, biotechnology, space, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, 6G, and other emerging and disruptive technologies.
On the Finnish side, the discussions will be led by Petri Peltonen, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The US delegation, which will be headed by Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology and Space Affairs in the Department of State, includes representatives of key governmental, research and funding organisations and universities.
The United States is Finland’s most important trading partner outside the EU. In addition to foreign and security policy, science and technology cooperation with Finland is one of the dimensions that mostly interests the US. Cooperation between the two countries is strongly linked to the promotion of bilateral trade and investments, Finnish competitiveness and new high-level expertise and knowledge.
The STA was signed in 1995 and renewed in 2015. The agreement is renewed automatically every five years. The Finland-U.S. Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation will discuss priorities and forms of cooperation.
Kandahari also met Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala on 18 September.
In connection with the meeting, the parties will also sign a declaration on cooperation.
Inquiries:
Jonna Lehtinen, Development Director, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 295
Martti Myllylä, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 034