16.01.2023
Regional government meeting press release, 16 January 2023
The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia held its first meeting of the year in Oulu on Monday, 16 January. For Regional Director Pauli Harju, this was his last meeting before he went on leave.
In matters of lobbying, Harju spoke about the Northern Programme. The Regional Councils of the North, cities, higher education institutions, chambers of commerce and business associations propose that the next government initiate the Government-level Northern Programme. The programme strengthens Finland's geopolitical position and sustainable growth by utilising northern know-how, energy, logistics, natural resources and international connections. Utilising the opportunities of the north is in the interest of Finland as a whole.
Hinno, Kaiponen, Kemell, Rajala and Rämet will be interviewed for the position of Regional Director
Eleven persons applied for the position of Provincial Director. The provincial government decided to invite the following persons to interviews to be held on 24 January:
Kimmo Hinno, Mayor, City of Haapavesi
Jyrki Kaiponen, Regional Director, Regional Assembly of Central Ostrobothnia
Ann-Mari Kemell, State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Tiina Rajala, Development Director, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Jussi Rämet, Mayor, Municipality of Muhos
Finnish Transport and Logistics Federation involved in updating transport and logistics strategy in Northern Finland
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia will participate in the update work of the Northern Finland Transport and Logistics Strategy 2017 in accordance with the proposed cost allocation, if other counties make a decision on the update work with the same content and the state party allocates the agreed total funding for the update work. The transport and logistics strategy defines the development guidelines for transport and logistics in Northern Finland, as well as the most important project portfolios for the next few years. The change in the global political situation that started in February 2022 highlights the importance of Northern Finland in terms of national security, self-sufficiency and security of supply. In Northern Finland, the development of the transport system emphasises strengthening the operating conditions of the business sector and preparing for new investments, as well as international accessibility and transport connections to neighbouring countries. In a changing operating environment, it is important to secure the accessibility of northern Finland, the availability of skilled labour and to ensure productive investments. The strategy update work is expected to start during spring 2023 and be completed by the first quarter of 2024 at the latest.
2023 Territorial Development Discussions
Statutory debates on regional development will take place in February 2023 in the form of thematic debates common to all. In December, the Advisory Board for Territorial Renewal outlined the themes for the 2023 discussions: green and digital transitions, access to a skilled workforce and regional mobility, as well as security of supply and overall security. The findings of the regional development discussions and the views of the regions are used in the preparation of the regional development decision. The matter is expected to be the subject of a political debate with provincial decision-makers in autumn 2023.
In brief
- Programme Director Henna-Mari Laurila presented the state of play of the Karelia CBC programme.
- The ex post evaluation of the Karelia CBC programme will be acquired from TK-Eval ay. The total estimated price is EUR 69 560.
- A post of Head of Human Resources was created.
- The approvers of the invoices were closed with effect from 1 February 2023.
- On 12 December 2022, Oulu City Council granted Matti Matinheikki (Kok.) resignation from the deputy seat of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and elected Lyly Rajala (Kok.) as the new deputy member of the Regional Council for the remainder of the current term of office.
Agendas and minutes
Agenda of the provincial government
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
Additional information
Jussi Ylitalo, President of the the Board of the Regional Assembly, tel. +358 45 160 6466
Pauli Harju, Regional Director, tel. +358 400 389 152
