Kouvola Security Conference

September 13th, 2024
Kouvola City Hall

Follow live stream from City of Kouvola YouTube or Yle Areena.

This year, the event theme will attempt to answer the question
How can we ensure a safer future?

The topic will be addressed through four sub-themes comprising comprehensive security, security technology and artificial intelligence, and Finland’s security of supply.

#KouvolaSecurity #KouvolaSecurity2024

10.00
Opening of the conference

Tommy Fränti, Journalist and host, YLE

10.05            
City of Kouvola’s welcome words
Marita Toikka
, Mayor, City of Kouvola

10.10 
Keynote: (ENG)
Philip M. Breedlove, General, SACEUR, former Commander of NATO Forces in Europe

10.30
Keynote: (ENG)
Olga Dibrova, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland

10.45
Different views for the secure future  

  • Global – Mikko Hautala, Ambassador
  • European – Heidi Hautala, former Member of the European Parliament
  • National – Mari Leppänen, the Bishop to the Archdiocese of Turku
    Facilitator: Tommy Fränti, Journalist and host, YLE

11.30  
THEME DISCUSSIONS PART I
Discussions of all four different themes will be organized in two lots during the conference at the same time in different locations at 11.30 o’clock and 14.00 o’clock.

I DISCUSSION: If you want peace, prepare for war – European capability in defence production (ENG)

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Introduction of the discussion:
Esa Rautalinko, CEO, Patria Group

Commentary speeches:

  • Jukka Kopra, Chair of the Defence Committee, MP
  • Sir Richard Shirreff, General, DSACEUR, former Deputy Commander of NATO Forces in Europe

Facilitator :
Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen,
Director of Communications, Patria Group

II DISCUSSIONLessons from crises – How is a secure supply chain built in Finland? 

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Commentary speeches:

  • Jarna Hartikainen, Head of Preparedness Planning, National Emergency Supply Agency
  • Jaakko Wallenius, Chief Security Officer, Vice President, Elisa
  • Ari-Pekka Saari, Managing Director, Steveco
  • Jaakko Jurvelin, Engineer Colonel, Defence Command, The Finnish Defence Forces

Facilitator: Riitta Väkeväinen, Director of Communications, National Emergency Supply Agency

III DISCUSSION: Capability Development in Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)

Live Demo: 
Common Synthetic Environment  

The Common Synthetic Environment integrates multiple leading technologies in the defence and security sectors. By bringing together various technologies, it enables the training and support of multidimensional operations (MDO).​ 

  • Timo Levo, Global Defence Lead, Accenture
  • Jaakko Hyvärinen, Managing Director, Accenture Innovation
  • Anssi Munkki, Senior Manager, Accenture
  • Lasse Tuominen, Sales Director EMEA, Defence & Aerospace, Varjo
  • Merja Annala, President, Systematic Oy

IV DICSUSSION: The fight over peoples’ minds – How to build resilience in the age of disinformation (ENG)

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Commentary speeches:

  • Jussi Toivanen, Head of Communications, National Cyber Security Centre Finland, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
  • Veera Heinonen, Director of Foresight and Training, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
  • Jukka Niva, Head of the Yle News Lab

Facilitator: Minna Nenonen, Executive Director, The Finnish Reservists’ Association (FRA)

12.30 – 14.00 Break

14.00
THEME DISCUSSIONS PART II
Discussions of all four different themes will be organized in two lots during the conference at the same time in different locations. Please see the themes above.

15.00  Break

15.15
Panel discussion: How do we ensure a secure future?

  • Esa Rautalinko, CEO, Patria Group
  • Veera Heinonen, Director of Foresight and Training, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
  • Jaakko Jurvelin, Engineer Colonel, Defence Command, The Finnish Defence Forces
  • Mikko Hautala, Ambassador
    Facilitator: Tommy Fränti, Journalist and host, YLE

15.45
Closing speech
Paula Werning, Chairman of the Kouvola City Council

16.00            
Summary and closing remarks
Tommy Fränti, Journalist and host, YLE

Updated 12.9.2024