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

Finland assumed its one-year Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers on 1 January 2021. The main task of the Finnish Presidency will be to advance Our Vision 2030, adopted by the Nordic Prime Ministers, according to which the Nordic region will be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The Vision’s focal points are a green Nordic region, a competitive Nordic region and a socially sustainable Nordic region.

Finland’s Minister for Nordic Cooperation Thomas Blomqvist

Projects to be supported by the Finnish Presidency will focus, among other things, on circular economy in construction and on cross-border digitalisation. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, 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 participation in Nordic cooperation is coordinated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

In the course of 2021, Finland together with the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers will organise many Nordic ministerial meetings and several other meetings at senior official level. Finland’s Presidency coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Nordic Council of Ministers works in 12 individual councils of ministers focusing on different policy areas. Therefore, work in the councils of ministers and the current Presidency have relevance for several ministries. 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 a sixth.

Read more about the cooperation on the website of the Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Twitter: @Norden2021(Link to another website.)

Read the Presidency Programme in digital format: