Outi Holopainen is Vice Minister and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland since September 2023.

Before taking up her current position, Ms Holopainen served as the Ambassador of Finland to Ethiopia, also accredited to Djibouti, South Sudan, African Union, IGAD and UNECA (2020-2023). Prior to that Ms Holopainen has served as the Inspector-General for the Finnish Foreign Service (2016-2020) and as the Ambassador of Finland to Portugal, also accredited to Cabo Verde (2013-2016).

Ms Holopainen’s earlier postings abroad were to Germany and Sweden. At the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki she has i.a. served as the Director for Security Policy and Crisis Management (2010-1013) and as the Director for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-proliferation (2007-2010).

Ms Holopainen holds a Master of Laws Degree from Helsinki University. She joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1988.

Ms Holopainen was born in 1963. She is married and has five adult children. She is a marathon runner and in her free time enjoys different outdoor activities.