The Council generates policy and advises the Council of Ministers, helping put disability policy issues on the Nordic agenda.

"I would like, on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers, to express our satisfaction with the Council's advice and policy input. Over the last decade, the Council has drawn attention to disability policy as a social interest, not a special interest," Ásgrímsson said.

Ten years ago, the Council adopted the strategy 'Design for All' as a platform for its work, work that is just as important today in guaranteeing that the whole population is able to participate in society.

"Design for all supports sustainable development and our vision of sustainable development includes the environment, the economy and social conditions. That is why Design for All has been included in the Council of Ministers' revised strategy for sustainable development," Ásgrímsson points out.

The conference is looking back over the first decade of the Council's work and forward to the challenges of the future.

As well as Halldór Ásgrímsson, speakers include Alec Aalto, the Finnish Ambassador to Sweden, Ivar Kristiansen MP (NO), who is a former Secretary General of the Council, and its current Secretary General, Inge Ovesen.