Finland hosts NATO research conference

The Finnish Defence Forces organised a week of meetings of the Science &; Technology Board of the NATO Science &; Technology Organization (NATO STO) in Finland from September 18–22, September 2023, said the Defence Forces in a press release on Friday.

The week of the meeting was chaired by NATO's Chief Scientist Dr. Bryan Wells and hosted by the Defence Forces' Research Director, Colonel Jyri Kosola.

“It’s an honour to have chaired the week of meetings for the Science & Technology Board of the NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) in Helsinki.

Finland's status as the newest member of NATO makes this event even more special. We will certainly remember this Fall STB for being the first major NATO committee held in the soil of our 31st Ally.

Since 2015, Finnish contributions to our research have been invaluable; first as an enhanced partner and now, as an Ally.

Finland already contributes to some 60 projects in our Collaborative Programme of Work. Pooling our knowledge, resources, and research findings within the NATO science and technology network shows our collaborative effort to maintain NATO’s technological edge and reinforces our collective ability to support one another in addressing the security challenges of our time.

“I commend Colonel Jyri Kosola and the Finnish Defence Forces for their exceptional hosting of this NATO meeting. Thank you to Finland for being a dedicated and valued member of our S&T community and, of course, the NATO alliance”, said Wells.

“For Finland, NATO STO is the key forum for defense research. Therefore, it is a special pleasure for us to host this first high-level S&T meeting in Finland as the newest member of NATO. Finland is a strong contributor to NATO research and profiles herself as expert not only on arctic conditions, but also on littoral and shallow water warfare, large-scale air and land warfare in difficult terrain and weather, and mastering the electromagnetic spectrum. Combining knowhow, pooling resources and sharing results within NATO science & technology community is not only cost effective, but also enhances interoperability between the allied nations, and their ability to support each other,” said Colonel Kosola.

The responsibility for organizing the autumn meeting has traditionally rotated between NATO member states. This is the first time that Finland, as a Member State, has been able to host such a comprehensive NATO meeting. The meeting was attended by about 130 people from NATO member states, EOP countries (Enhanced Opportunities Partners) and NATO headquarters and other NATO structures (ACT, CMRE, CSO).