The Secretary of State is the most senior civil servant in the Finnish diplomatic service, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its network of embassies.

Previously, Tuomas Tapio served as Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for International Trade. 

"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 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (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.
 

This text was originally published on the Alumnae·i portal. 

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Image: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland at Katajanokka, Helsinki via Wikimedia Commons.