Finland's presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021

The five Nordic countries alternate as the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for one year at a time. The main theme of the Finnish Presidency will be to advance the Vision 2030 that was adopted by the Nordic Prime Ministers in summer 2019: to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The Vision’s strategic priorities are a green Nordic region, a competitive Nordic region and a socially sustainable Nordic region.

Projects to be supported by the Finnish Presidency will focus, among other things, on circular economy in construction and on digitalisation that facilitates people's cross-border interaction and activities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, topical themes of cooperation will include promoting free movement between the Nordic countries and ensuring security of supply and preparedness for future crises. Finland’s Presidency coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Finland has published its Presidency Programme in digital format(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) in the following five languages: Finnish, Swedish, Icelandic, English and North Saami.

The 12 different policy areas of the Nordic Council of Ministers affects several ministries. The Ministers for Nordic Cooperation are responsible for the practical coordination of the Nordic intergovernmental cooperation, commissioned by the Nordic Prime Ministers. Finland’s Minister for Nordic Cooperation is Thomas Blomqvist. In Finland, intergovernmental Nordic cooperation is coordinated by the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The annual budget of the Nordic Council of Ministers is approximately EUR 130 million, of which Finland pays about a sixth.

 

More information:

Norden.org(Link to another website.)

Our Vision 2030(Link to another website.)