The programme has four themes:

Nordic Driving Force, Nordic Strength, the Nordic Climate Challenge and a Globalised Region.

Iceland will take the initiative for a large number of co-operation projects during the Presidency, including:

• a mapping exercise of the vulnerable areas of the North Atlantic as a precondition for environmental contingency planning
• cross-sectoral co-operation to focus on entrepreneurship at all levels in the educational system
• efforts to improve cultural and language understanding between the Nordic countries

Among the many events taking place in Iceland during the Presidency 2009 the following rate special mention:

• conferences will be held on innovation work in education, quality control in Nordic universities and innovation in fisheries
• a Globalisation forum where the Nordic countries' expertise and innovation in energy and environmental questions especially will be on the agenda

The Globalisation forum will be attended by the Nordic prime ministers, ministers for co-operation, top management from Nordic business and prominent researchers in globalisation and innovation. It will take place from 26 - 27 February in Reykjavik.

The Nordic countries are also working closely together on preparations for the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009. It is vital for the international community that a new climate agreement is reached – is successful.

Prime Minister Geir Haarde writes in the Preamble to the Programme for the Presidency: "In a global economy, it is vitally important that Nordic co-operation is built upon the solid foundations of our common history and culture, and our basic values about what is right and worth striving for. We must continue to safeguard those values."