Tuomas Tapio appointed to serve as Foreign Ministry’s Permanent State Secretary

Tuomas Tapio appointed to serve as Foreign Ministry's Permanent State Secretary

In its session on 11 June 2026, the Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Tuomas Tapio to serve as Permanent State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs starting on 1 September 2026.

The position is for a fixed term until 31 August 2030.

Tuomas Tapio will transfer to the position from the Foreign Ministry's Department for International Trade, where he has served as Director General since 2022.

"In the current global situation, Finland needs the Ministry for Foreign Affairs even more than before. Tuomas Tapio brings a more results-driven approach as well as a deep understanding of geoeconomics and international politics to the leadership of the ministry," says Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

Tapio joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1997. His previous positions include Ambassador of Finland to the OECD in Paris, Director of the Unit for Western Europe and the Unit for Policy Planning and Research at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Director of the Unit for External Economic Relations at the Prime Minister's Office. Tapio holds a doctoral degree in international relations.

"In a rapidly changing international environment, the Foreign Service plays an increasingly vital role in providing security while also creating opportunities for Finland's growth and wellbeing. I believe that, in this context, it is important to make full use of the Foreign Service's extensive expertise and networks," Tapio says, commenting on his upcoming position.

The Permanent State Secretary is tasked with managing, developing and supervising the operations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its branch of government. The Permanent State Secretary is, for example, responsible for performance management and for coordinating the operations of the Ministry and its branch of government with other ministries.