Finland Appoints Roving Ambassador for Central Asia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The President of Finland has authorized the appointment of a Roving Ambassador for Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, with the decision approved on 29 May and entering into force on 1 June 2026.

Maria Agren, an advisor on foreign affairs at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, has been appointed to the position.

She has also been designated as Roving Ambassador for Central Asia and Turkmenistan. Earlier in May, she was promoted to the position of Foreign Affairs Counsellor, and her mandate was subsequently expanded to include Uzbekistan.

According to available information, Agren has served since 2022 as Deputy Director for Strategic and Policy Planning at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Previously, she worked in diplomatic missions in Kyiv, Vilnius, and Moscow, and held positions in departments responsible for Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

Roving ambassadors are based in Helsinki and represent Finland in their assigned regions. Their responsibilities include developing political, trade, and cultural relations, as well as supporting Finnish businesses abroad.

Maria Agren succeeds Ilkka Räisänen, whose diplomatic mission ended at the end of 2025.