Fostering Cooperation for Arms Control and Disarmament

For decades, Finland has pursued a constructive policy on arms control and disarmament to enhance international security. It works to reinforce international arms control agreements and arrangements, while emphasizing the importance of their implementation and compliance.

Finland promotes nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as key global priorities. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. Finland is a strong supporter of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which prohibits all nuclear tests, and is an active Member in the Group of Friends of the CTBTO.

Finland also acts to prevent the spread of other weapons of mass destruction. Upholding the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention is foundational for international security and respect for humanitarian law. Finland emphasizes their effective implementation and compliance with the Conventions.

Preventing the illegal spread of small arms and light weapons, as well as other conventional arms, is another key priority for Finland. Finland has acceded to all five protocols of the Certain Conventional Weapons Convention, reinforcing its commitment to regulating inhumane weapons.

Finland is a strong supporter of Humanitarian Mine Action, such as mine clearance and victim assistance. Since 1991, Finland has financed Humanitarian Mine Action with more than 125 million euros.

International cooperation is indispensable in addressing the illegal flow of arms into conflict areas. Finland has long supported several UN funding mechanisms and research programmes aimed at tackling this challenge. Finland was one of the initiators of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).