Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen hosted the City of Helsinki’s annual event for ambassadors on 20 April 2022. The reception at the Little Finlandia venue brought together more than 70 representatives of Helsinki-based embassies and other international organisations from nearly 60 countries.
In line with its new ‘Place of growth’ strategy, Helsinki will continue to increase the city’s global presence and play an ever more active role on the international stage. The goal is for Helsinki to achieve a more influential status in the world.
“Regular discussions with ambassadors provide an opportunity to find new forms of international cooperation and to promote Helsinki’s goals in the best possible way. Cities can learn from each other, and I have noticed that discussions also open up new trains of thought. I hope that this close cooperation will continue in the coming years,” Mayor Vartiainen said.
Helsinki’s international activities support the implementation of its City Strategy, which includes goals such as climate change mitigation, urban development, and other measures seeking sustainable growth. Cooperation with reference and partner cities is particularly important for pandemic recovery and resolving issues associated with the crisis in Ukraine.
At this year’s event for ambassadors, European security and defence and the war in Ukraine emerged as the main topics. Mayor Vartiainen and Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Dibrova discussed how European cities can best help the war-torn cities in Ukraine and contribute to the reconstruction of the country after the war ceases.
“It goes without saying that the City of Helsinki strongly condemns the Russian-instigated war in Ukraine and, supports the Ukrainians together with the EU. Helsinki and other major Finnish cities have supported Ukraine directly with humanitarian aid. Concern about the situation in Ukraine is shared by all, and international cooperation is of paramount importance in coordinating and delivering the aid,” Mayor Vartiainen said.
