Karen Ellemann, the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers

An experienced politician with a strong commitment to Nordic co-operation, she strives to make it even more relevant and dynamic in an era of global challenges. Ellemann was a member of the Danish parliament from 2007 to 2022. She served as a minister several times, overseeing fisheries, gender equality, Nordic co-operation, social affairs, the interior and the environment. She was also a member of the Nordic Council and chair of the Nordic Association in Denmark. As Secretary General, her ambition is even closer working relations to generate tangible results at home and to maintain the Nordic Region’s position as a global pioneer. She is striving to ensure that the Nordic Council of Ministers plays a key role in the green transition, mobility and freedom of movement in the region. It is imperative that the Nordic Region leads from the front in digitalisation and new technology and that it focuses strongly on children and young people, who are the future of Nordic co-operation. They need to be afforded greater opportunities for cross-border mobility and engagement, so they have better access to education and jobs throughout the Region and feel part of a strong and open community. Under Karen Ellemann, the Nordic Council of Ministers is striving to ensure that the Nordic Region continues to be characterised by trust, openness and joint solutions – while being better prepared in an increasingly unpredictable world.