Theme debate: Security, Peace and Preparedness in the North Atlantic

Security, peace and preparedness in the North Atlantic are on the agenda for the Nordic Council Theme Session in Tórshavn.

In these historically uncertain times, Nordic and international co-operation is more important than ever. 

Persistent and escalating insecurity characterises the world, Europe and the Nordic Region, and several major global challenges loom large – a biodiversity crisis, significant climate change, artificial intelligence, cyber threats, growing inequality and threats to democracy. 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the security situation highly uncertain and left its mark on discourse in the free and democratic world, with Finland and Sweden joining NATO. The strategically important geopolitical position of the North Atlantic makes it vulnerable and requires political focus.

The role of the Nordic Council and national efforts to enhance co-operation on security, preparedness and peace have never been more important, and parliamentarians have a unique role to play. 

The Nordic countries have always emphasised the importance of ​peace, democracy, the climate and indigenous rights in the Arctic and North Atlantic. 

But what can parliamentarians do to consolidate all of them? How can they stress the importance of maintaining the democratic and rules-based world order with peace as the ultimate goal? And should the Nordic Council encourage national governments to take specific measures action in this respect? 

Measures such as greater civil and defence preparedness, strategic investments, closer co-operation and promoting the values that bind the Nordic Region together.

The Arctic, the Baltic Sea region and the North Atlantic are three strategically important areas for the Nordic countries. The Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council in 2024 focuses on peace and security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, and parliamentarians, ministers and experts will gather in the Faroe Islands for the Nordic Council Theme Session 2024, where they will debate what tangible and strategic steps need to be taken to promote security, peace and preparedness in the North Atlantic.

Tuesday, 9 April 2024, 09:05–10:30

Introduction:
Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, President of the Nordic Council – 2 mins. 
Aksel V. Johannesen, Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands – 5 mins. 
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, Minister of Justice, Iceland – 5 mins.

Guest speaker:
Vice Admiral Louise Dedichen, Norwegian Military Representative to NATO – 15 mins.

Open debate – with views and questions from the floor and panel (60 mins.): 
Panellists: Louise Dedichen, Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, Pia Hansson (Director of the Institute of International Affairs, University of Iceland), Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, Aksel V. Johannesen

Moderator: Rógvi Olavson (University of the Faroe Islands)

• What can the Nordic countries do to boost co-operation on defence and security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic – and what new opportunities does it bring that they are all now part of NATO?
• In what areas could the Nordic Council do more to enhance security, peace and preparedness in the North Atlantic?
• What will it take to keep tension low in the North Atlantic? 
• What aspects of co-operation on preparedness in the North Atlantic can and should be improved?
• Which strategic partners are important for the Nordic Council and the Nordic countries to guarantee peace and democracy in the future?
• What role should the Nordic countries play in peace-keeping? 
• What is the best way to maintain and develop trust and friendship between the Nordic nations in the future?
• How do changes in the Arctic and climate change in general affect security and opportunities in the North Atlantic?
• How can the parliamentary dimension of Nordic co-operation on defence and security policy be enhanced?
• To ensure that the Nordic Region achieves its vision of being the most integrated and sustainable region in the world, would it be a natural step to include co-operation on defence, security and preparedness in the Helsinki Treaty, the constitution for Nordic co-operation?