SIPRI continues dialogue series on human security in Helsinki

Last week the Nordic Dialogues on Human Security series continued in Helsinki, discussing how human-centred approaches can support Finland's security and foreign policy objectives in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Finland's security environment has been fundamentally reshaped by war in Europe, driving a renewed emphasis on territorial defence, preparedness and resilience. At the same time, however, the country faces complex risks that military security alone cannot address.

On 3-4 March, SIPRI and the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, together with the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), convened policymakers, researchers and practitioners for a series of conversations on the future of human security.

A public event highlighted that human-centred security remains highly valued in Finland and is reflected in whole-of-society approaches to preparedness and resilience. However, panellists also noted that, despite decades of progress in advancing these approaches, they are still fragile and require continued investment both domestically and internationally.

A closed-door roundtable focused on Finland's external engagement, examining how human security perspectives can be strengthened in foreign policy and how human-centred approaches could feature in the country's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

There was strong support across all the events for increased Nordic cooperation and dialogue on these questions. The next part of the dialogue series will take place in Oslo on 16-17 March, in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).