Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's speech at the meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's speech at the meeting of the Council of Europe's Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen held a speech at the meeting of the Council of Europe's Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity in Kouvola on 9 June 2026.

Ladies and gentlemen,

very good morning to you all.

It is a great pleasure and an honour to address you all.

I am especially happy to see you all here in the city of Kouvola, very close to my home region and the home of my family.

In this speech I will highlight some of the key aspects of our unique comprehensive security model both from national, regional, local and single citizen's perspectives.

However, I will begin with some assessments of the security environment, so called big picture.

Ladies and gentlemen,

European continent is witnessing a large-scale war. Russia's aggressive and unlawful military attack on Ukraine has been ongoing more than four years.

United States seeks to retain its position as the leading great power. US is committed to defend Europe. Its long-term strategy is to respond to the challenge of China in the Indo-Pacific region. US is the only actor that has all required recourses to answer to the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

China strives to enhance its global influence by creating economic, political and technological dependencies. Geographically this includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific.

China's ambitions and policies challenge the interests, security and values of NATO Allies and EU Member States.

China employs a broad range of tools to increase its influence. China has increased its military cooperation with Russia.

Russia's goal is to re-establish the division of Europe into spheres of influence by increasing its own influence. Russia in willing to use military force to achieve its goals.

Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. This threat is assessed to uphold in long time span.

Russia is receiving significant military, economic and diplomatic support from countries such as China, North Korea and Iran. This makes Russia more dangerous and is enabling Russian to continue its unlawful war against Ukraine.

Russia has very limited means to use its power. The only means seem to be military power, oil and gas. Russia is totally missing other means of state's power.

European nations have taken rapid and decisive actions towards the changes of our security environment. These measures include e.g. a larger interest towards total defence -type of approach. In Finland we call this comprehensive approach.

All NATO member states have agreed to make a significant increase in their defence investments. For Europe this means we are taking more responsibility of our own defence.

My assessment is that before 2030's NATO's deterrence and defence will be much stronger than today.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Finland is located on NATO's eastern border. Being part of both the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic makes Finland's location significant.

Finland's eastern border is half of NATO's border with Russia.

Finland will sustain and develop its capability to counter broad-spectrum influencing, resist any kind of military pressure and fight large-scale wars by using national resources and as part of NATO.

Finland's security is based on whole governmental approach. This approach is called comprehensive security. In our model all sectors and actors have a vital role in our security.

In practise this means that security requires contributions from single citizens, industry and business, third sector organizations and from different ministries. Everybody has a role.

All this underlines that Finland is a regional security provider and taking active role in the defence of the Northern Flank in Nato.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the ninth time in a row.

According to the latest survey, around 80 per cent of Finns feel that their lives are currently safe and secure, and 79 per cent believe that Finnish society is well prepared and capable of responding effectively to crises.

This does not mean that Finns are untouched by worry or uncertainty. It means something deeper, and perhaps something more enduring.

People experience their lives, taken as a whole, as stable, functional and secure. Most likely that is the foundation of Finnish happiness. Everyday life is predictable, society works, and people trust that even in difficult times they will not be left alone.

Happiness is not built only on prosperity or on our clean and beautiful nature. It is also built on security, preparedness and trust. When people know that electricity is available, water runs, health services function, public authorities respond, and society is capable of withstanding disruption, they gain a sense that life remains manageable.

That strengthens the feeling of security, and in turn, a sense of security reinforces well-being. In this respect, Finnish happiness is closely linked to how security is understood in Finland and how it is sustained.

In Finland, security is built on the model of comprehensive security. The core principle is that the vital functions of society are safeguarded in all circumstances through cooperation among the authorities, the business community, organisations and citizens. Everybody has a role.

In a nutshell it means that life goes on regardless of attempts to influence us.

Security is therefore understood as a shared responsibility. One that requires foresight and preparedness in advance, and the capacity to act together when disruption is already upon us.

Finland's Security Strategy for Society provides the common direction for this work. It strengthens preparedness and response so that society can protect its vital functions, limit the consequences of disruption and recover as swiftly as possible.

Strategy has identified seven such vital functions for the society. These are leadership, international and EU activities, defence capability, internal security, the economy, infrastructure and security of supply, the functional capacity of the population and essential services and psychological resilience.

The strategy is based on the principle that different actors know their responsibilities, work together, and are capable of coordinated action even in exceptional circumstances.

Finland's National Risk Assessment provides the foundation for the Security Strategy for Society. It identifies the risks that matter most for Finland. It looks at both man-made and natural threats. At present, it includes 22 different threat scenarios.

The strategy then turns this risk picture into action. It defines 56 strategic tasks for preparedness, response and leadership. These tasks are assigned to the responsible ministries.

Only two of these tasks relate directly to defence capability. The other 54 focus on other sectors of society. This shows that our approach is truly comprehensive.

The strategy is monitored continuously. The National Risk Assessment is also updated regularly. This helps keep the system current, practical and responsive to change.

All this can be examined at several levels of action.

At the international level, Finland is part of a wider security environment and works closely with other countries and international organisations. Security does not stop at national borders. It is shaped by the security situation in Europe, by global supply chains, by cyber threats and by the international exchange of information. For that reason, international cooperation is not separate from national security, it is an essential part of it.

At the national level, security is led, coordinated and guided strategically. The national level provides the structure on which the whole system rests. It creates the shared situational picture, the legislative basis and the operating models that ensure Finland is prepared to respond to a wide range of threats and disruptions.

At the regional level, security becomes more concrete through cooperation among the regional actors. Situational awareness is built, the activities of different authorities are coordinated, exercises are conducted, and the capacity of the region to respond to crises is strengthened.

The wellbeing services counties hold a particularly important role at both the regional and local levels, as they are responsible for many services that are essential from the perspective of security, above all social welfare and healthcare.

In addition, the rescue authorities play a key role in protecting the population and, in certain circumstances, in overall operational leadership. The regional level serves as the bridge between national guidance and local practice.

At the local level, comprehensive security becomes reality in practice. It is visible in municipalities, neighbourhoods, villages, schools, workplaces and communities. This is perhaps the most tangible level of security, because it is here that people experience everyday security most directly. The task of the local level is to ensure that services continue to function, that everyday life can go on, and that help reaches people even in times of disruption.

Ultimately, the success of comprehensive security is decided at the local level.

It is there that people know what kinds of risks exist in the area, who lives there, where services are located, and who may need particular support in a crisis.

The local level understands the conditions of daily life and can therefore respond quickly, pragmatically and in a way that reflects people's actual needs.

Municipal security work does not begin with a crisis. It is woven into the ordinary governance of everyday life.

It is important to acknowledge the role of civil society organisations and the wider civic sphere. Their contribution is not secondary. It is essential. Their strength often lies in close knowledge of local communities, in their ability to reach vulnerable groups, and in their capacity to act both flexibly and rapidly. They reinforce community spirit, participation and trust. Precisely the qualities that make society resilient.

And in times of disruption, these qualities matter profoundly. It is often civil society that sees first who is isolated, who is overlooked, who is struggling, and who needs support that is not only practical, but human. Organisations can provide psychosocial support, coordinate volunteers, facilitate neighbour-to-neighbour assistance, disseminate reliable information and organise practical local help. They do not replace the public authorities, but they complement and strengthen society's capacity to function under strain.

At the individual level, comprehensive security rests on people's own capability, preparedness, responsibility and shared responsibility. Individual responsibility does not mean that society withdraws or that the burden of crisis management is shifted onto citizens. On the contrary, it means that a secure society is also built on the preparedness and resilience of its people.

In practical terms, this includes maintaining emergency supplies at home, being able to cope independently for at least 72 hours, possessing the basic skills needed during a power outage or water disruption, being able to recognise reliable information, and being ready to assist family members, neighbours and one's community.

The individual is therefore not merely an object of security, but also a contributor to it. This is an important principle.

People are not only to be protected, they are also to be empowered. When people are equipped with knowledge, trust and the means to act, they strengthen not only their own resilience, but that of society as a whole.

Finally, it is essential to speak of fundamental rights.

Comprehensive security is also a means of safeguarding the realisation of fundamental rights in all circumstances. A secure society creates the conditions for the right to life, to personal security, to health, to essential subsistence, to education and to access to information. When society is well prepared, it is also better able, even in times of crisis, to safeguard services, legal protection and equality.

This is especially important for those whose rights are most easily placed at risk when society is under pressure.

At the same time, the model of comprehensive security is firmly anchored in the rule of law.

I wish you all a most wonderful and happy summer.