Okko-Pekka Salmimies, an Icon of Change in Finland

Icons of Change International Awards 2026

Ambassador Okko-Pekka Salmimies

Ambassador of Finland to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Bern, Switzerland

Diplomacy | International Cooperation | Trade Policy | Sustainable Development | Multilateral Relations

SDG Focus: Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Complementary SDGs: Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Changemaker for International Diplomacy, Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Global Partnerships (Finland)

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Advancing International Cooperation Through Diplomacy and Strategic Leadership

Ambassador Okko-Pekka Salmimies is a distinguished Finnish diplomat whose career reflects decades of engagement in international relations, multilateral diplomacy, trade policy, development cooperation and the advancement of international partnerships.

Since September 2025, he has served as Ambassador of Finland to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, representing Finland in two countries with important roles in European and international cooperation. Based in Bern, he brings to this responsibility extensive diplomatic experience developed through senior positions in bilateral relations, multilateral institutions, international economic affairs and public-sector leadership.

Having joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1997, Ambassador Salmimies has built a career across a broad range of policy areas and international settings. His professional journey has included serving as Consul General in Los Angeles, Ambassador and Head of Mission at Finland's Permanent Delegations to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, and Ambassador for Team Finland, with responsibilities for export promotion and internationalization.

He has also held senior leadership positions in trade policy, development policy and civil society, as well as serving as Head of Cabinet and Diplomatic Adviser to Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade, Development and European Affairs.

Across these roles, his work has involved connecting national priorities with international institutions, strengthening diplomatic relationships, supporting economic engagement and contributing to discussions on sustainable development.

His career illustrates the importance of diplomacy not only as the conduct of relations between states, but also as a means of building trust, facilitating cooperation and creating conditions for addressing shared challenges.

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Representing Finland in Switzerland and Liechtenstein

As Ambassador of Finland to Switzerland and Liechtenstein since September 2025, Salmimies leads Finland's diplomatic representation in two countries with significant international and European connections.