The British & Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in Finland was pleased to welcome members and guests to Svenska Klubben in Helsinki for a special seminar on Finnish defence policy and NATO. The event attracted a distinguished audience brought together by a shared interest in Finland’s evolving position within the transatlantic security framework.

This timely seminar explores Finnish Defence Policy and Finland’s role within NATO and the wider transatlantic security framework, bringing together a distinguished audience of business leaders, policy professionals and friends of the Chamber. The discussion focuses on the evolving security environment and its relevance to stability, resilience and long-term competitiveness for Finland and its international partners.

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Event agenda
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‍10:00 – 10:15 | Guest arrival
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‍10:15 – 11:15 | Presentation "Finnish Views on NATO, EU and Defence Cooperation"

Speaker: MS. KAROLIINA HONKANEN, Director, Defence Cooperation Unit, Ministry of Defence, Finland

Ms Karoliina Honkanen is Director of the Defence Cooperation Unit in the Ministry of Defence, Finland. The Unit is responsible for NATO policy coordination, EU defence cooperation, NORDEFCO, bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation, as well as operations.

From August 2023 until January 2025, Ms Honkanen served as Secretary General for the Government Defence Report 2024. During June 2022–July 2023, Ms Honkanen was responsible for NATO integration in the Ministry of Defence, serving as Director of the temporary Office for NATO Integration.

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11:15 - 11:30 AM | Finland's Road into NATO Film Project Presentation by Michael Franck

11:30 | End of the programme

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The formal agenda concludes, allowing for a seamless transition to the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch International Satellite event for registered participants.

Please note: Separate registration is required to attend the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch International Satellite event.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact events@b3cf.com.

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