The Nordic countries are to work more closely together with Canada, it emerged from the meeting today between the Canadian foreign minister and the Nordic Council of Ministers. The meeting put focus on innovation, the environment, marine issues, education, training and research, and social and health affairs, as well as culture, particularly the creative industries.

The Secretary General, Halldór Ásgrímsson, along with delegations from the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2009 and the Danish Presidency 2010, are meeting a range of government representatives during their visit to Canada.

The main topic on the agenda is how to work together to address the environmental, economic and social challenges faced by the Arctic Region and coastal communities in the North Atlantic in the wake of globalisation and climate change.

When the Canadians launched Canada North – A New Strategy back in June, the foreign minister said that creative national and international initiatives were needed to promote greater understanding of the situation in the Arctic, including of the Arctic peoples’ culture and way of life.

At today’s meeting with the Secretary General, agreement was reached on working together to promote better international understanding of the challenges faced by the Arctic peoples.

Co-operation with the Nordic Region’s neighbours to the west is a particularly high priority for Iceland, which is nearing the end of its year-long Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The programme of the incoming Danish Presidency, which begins on 1 January, also prioritises the development of co-operation with neighbours to the west, especially Canada.

The Nordic Council of Ministers already engages in a range of activities with Canadian partners, e.g. on innovation, energy and health, particularly in relation to the Arctic. Several Nordic institutions also enjoy tangible relationships with Canadian partners, including Nordic Atlantic Co-operation (NORA), the Nordic Institute in Greenland (NAPA) and the Nordic Innovation Centre (NICe).

The Council of Ministers funds a number of Arctic projects every year as part of its Arctic programme. The Council of Ministers seeks to promote sustainable development in the Arctic, with due consideration to the needs of business, culture and nature conservation. The Council of Ministers enjoys observer status on the Arctic Council, of which Denmark has just assumed the chair