Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi presented the programme for the Presidency at a plenary meeting of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik on Tuesday the 2nd of November.

Finland has identified three main priorities for the programme:

dealing with climate change, supporting Nordic globalisation initiatives and stressing the importance of grassroots activity as the foundation for Nordic co-operation.

"We have chosen coping with climate change as the main theme for our programme. We will continue to develop and profile the Nordic Region as an active leader and driver in climate issues, as well as stress the importance of a broad and cross-sectoral unity behind climate friendly solutions and a sustainable social development.

"The Nordic Region leads the way with its know-how and pragmatic and result-oriented activities in many areas. This is why we have chosen to call the programme "The Nordic Region - a Green Climate Leader".

Coping with climate change

The Nordic countries have the ability and the will to lead the way and make progress on climate change at both local and international level.

Video: Prime Minister, Mari Kiviniemi, and Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Jan Vapaavuori, comment on the Finnish Presidency programme.

Successful climate work presupposes broad commitment and collaboration throughout all sectors. The programme also calls for the climate perspective to be more closely integrated into decision-making in the business world and for debate about how best to raise standards of living despite future reductions in CO2 emissions.

Green growth is the future.

Support for globalisation initiatives

Finland will continue, develop and conclude ongoing globalisation projects. As part of globalisation work, the Presidency will endeavour to strengthen the Region’s green profile at international level.

The Top-level Research Initiative (TRI) is the biggest ever Nordic investment in research and innovation. The first stage focuses on the climate, energy and the environment.

Finland is stressing that society should have access to the best tools and frameworks available in order to create new top-level research and expertise.

The Finns will also continue the series of annual globalisation forums that started in 2008.

The prime ministers chair discussions about Nordic strengths and the challenges faced by the Region at the forum. Representatives of business, research, politics, the media and a variety of organisations join in the debate.

Grassroots input as the foundation for co-operation

Finland will seek to provide support for citizens’ initiatives and to improve the practical conditions for widespread participation at grassroots levels.

For Nordic co-operation to live on it is important that young people in particular are involved, and that their sense of Nordic identity and their understanding of Nordic languages is strengthened.

Endeavours to promote freedom of movement will also continue. The Freedom of Movement Forum chaired by Ole Norrback has had its mandate extended for three years, 2011-2013.

The Forum’s effective interventions to promote freedom of movement and improve Nordic co-ordination to stop new barriers to mobility arising will continue.

Bo Lindroos, Head of the Secretariat for Nordic Co-operation, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs +358 40 158 5451

Antti Vänskä, the Prime Minister's adviser on international issues, the PM’s office +358 9 1602 2068