The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official body for inter-governmental co-operation in the Nordic Region. It seeks solutions with visible positive effects for everybody who lives in the Nordic countries.
Nordic Council of Ministers
Ministers for Co-operation (MR-SAM)
The Committee for Co-operation is responsible for the day-to-day work of Nordic co-operation and for the Council of Ministers’ Secretariat in Copenhagen. It is composed of senior officials from the respective countries' ministries of foreign affairs.
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Nordic Migrant Expert Forum
The Nordic Migrant Expert Forum is linked to the Nordic co-operation programme on the integration of refugees and immigrants and aims to provide a well-founded and diverse knowledge base for Nordic co-operation on integration.
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The Nordic Committee for Co-operation (NSK)
The Committee for Co-operation is responsible for the day-to-day work of Nordic co-operation and for the Council of Ministers’ Secretariat in Copenhagen. It is composed of senior civil servants from the Nordic countries.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Greenland (GL)
Nordic Co-operation Office (ÅL)
Nordic Secretariat, Nordic Co-operation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade (FO)
The Foreign Ministry, Nordic Co-operation, (FI)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nordic co-operation (NO)
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Nordic co-operation (SV)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretariat for the Minister for Nordic Co-operation (DK)
Expert Group for Sustainable Development
The Expert Group advises the Nordic Co-operation Committee and the Ministers for Co-operation on sustainable development.
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Nordic Advisory Committee for the Arctic
A Nordic Advisory Committee for the Arctic was established in conjunction with the adoption of the new Arctic Co-operation Programme in 2002. The Advisory Committee for the Arctic is made up of Nordic members from Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The Arctic Expert Committee offers advice to the Ministers for Co-operation and the Nordic Co-operation Committee on matters relating to the Arctic.
Secretariat for the Arctic Expert Committee
The Freedom of Movement Council
The Freedom of Movement Council is a politically appointed body, set up by the Nordic governments to promote freedom of movement in the Nordic region for people and companies. It started work in 2014. The chair rotates annually between the national representatives in line with the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The chair and the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers have the overall responsibility for work on freedom of movement.
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Freedom of Movement
Efforts relating to freedom of movement are a key area of Nordic co-operation and are included in the efforts to fulfil the vision of the Nordic prime ministers to make the Nordic Region the most integrated region in the world. These efforts are overseen by the Freedom of Movement Council, which was established in January 2014. Based on the renewal of the Freedom of Movement Council’s mandate in 2018, there is a quantitative goal of removing between eight and twelve obstacles to freedom of movement each year within the labour market, society, education, and business and industry.
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Informationstjenester
Informationstjenester under MR-SAM
The Border Service
The Border Service is a border and cross-agency co-operation between Sweden and Norway. The Border Service's main task is to receive and deal with questions from people and companies that take part in some form of cross-border activities.
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Info Norden
Info Norden is the information service of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The purpose of the service is to make it easier for people to move between the Nordic countries.
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The Nordic Region in Focus
The Nordic Region in Focus gives a Nordic angle to the national debate. The Nordic Region in Focus offices organise seminars and exhibitions on current topics such as politics, the environment, business and culture. The main target groups are civil servants, politicians, journalists and interest organisations.
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Nordic Information Office in South Jutland/South Schleswig
The job of the Nordic Information Office is to provide information about formal Nordic co-operation and co-ordinate official Nordic activities in the border region between Denmark and Germany. It promotes Nordic culture via activities such as visits by authors, art exhibitions, concerts, reading groups and exchange visits to other Nordic countries. Its remit also includes enhancing knowledge of South Jutland and South Schleswig in the rest of the Nordic Region.
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Crossborder Tornedalen
Crossborder Tornedalen provides specific advice on border problems, provides information and guidance to individuals, businesses and organisations that have cross-border activities in the North Calotte area of Finland/Sweden and Finland/Norway. In addition, Crossborder Tornedalen aims to improve freedom of movement.
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Øresunddirekt
Øresunddirekt provides public service information from the authorities to citizens and businesses in the Øresund region. Øresund Direkt consists of a web editorial office in Copenhagen and an information centre in Hjälmaregatan 3 in Malmö. The Information Centre Øresunddirekt in Malmö is assisted on-site by staff from the Employment Service, Försäkringskassan (social insurance system), the County Board and Skatteverket (the tax agency) who provide information from the authorities from an Øresund perspective.
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The Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK)
NORDBUK is the Council of Ministers’ advisory and co-ordinating body for issues relating to children and young people.
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NORDBUK Secretariat
Nordic Exchange Programme (NORUT)
This programme provides civil servants with the opportunity to learn how things are done in another Nordic country (or countries). A group consisting of one member each from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland allocates the money earmarked for the annual pool.
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Council of Ministers
Nordic Council of Ministers for Labour (MR-A)
The Nordic co-operation on employment and labour market, as well as occupational health and labour law, is led by the Nordic ministers of labour and employment.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Working groups and committee
Nordic Council of Ministers for Digitalisation (MR-DIGITAL)
The co-operation on digitalisation among the Nordic governments is led by one minister from each of the Nordic countries: Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland. In addition, the Baltic states are also represented by one minister from each of the Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Nordic Council of Ministers for Energy (MR-ENERGI)
The co-operation of the Nordic governments on energy policy is led by the Nordic energy ministers.
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Working groups and committee
Committees of Senior Officials
Institutions
Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MR-FJLS)
The Nordic cooperation on fisheries, oceans, forests, agriculture and food is led by the ministers responsible for these areas in the Nordic governments.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Institutions
Co-operation body
Working groups and committee
Projects
Nordic Council of Ministers for Justice Affairs (MR-JUST)
The Nordic governments' co-operation in the area of legislation is led by the Nordic ministers of justice.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Nordic-Baltic co-operation on justice
The Nordic Baltic Contact Group (NBCG) is constituted as a platform for cooperation and is mandated by the Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Justice. The group is responsible to the Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Justice and the Ministers can make changes in the mandate. The objective of the NBCG is to promote and increase effective Nordic Baltic cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs.
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Nordic Council of Minsters for Culture (MR-K)
The co-operation of the Nordic governments in the field of culture is led by the Nordic culture ministers.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Institutions
The Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI (MR-JÄM)
Nordic co-operation on gender equality is led by the Nordic ministers for gender equality.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Co-operation body
Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate (MR-MK)
The co-operation of the Nordic governments on environment and climate is led by the Nordic ministers for environment and climate.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Co-operation body
Programmes
Nordic Council of Ministers for Business (MR-NÆRING)
The Nordic governments' cooperation in the business area is led by the Nordic business ministers.
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Arbeidsgrupper og utvalg
Arbeidsgrupper og utvalg under Nordisk ministerråd for næringssektoren
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Committees of Senior Officials
Institusjoner
Nordic Council of Ministers for Regional Development and Planning (MR-REGIONAL)
The Nordic Council of Ministers for Regional Development and planning (MR-REGIONAL) brings together ministers to promote a green transition, strengthened competitiveness and resilience, and ensure secure, positive living conditions across all Nordic regions.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Institutions
Working groups and committee
Co-operation body
Nordic Council of Ministers for Health and Social Affairs (MR-S)
The co-operation of the Nordic governments in the social and health sectors is led by the Nordic ministers of health and social affairs.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Committees of Senior Officials
Co-operation body
Working groups and committee
Nordic Council of Ministers for Education and Research (MR-U)
Inter-governmental co-operation on research and education is headed up by the Nordic ministers of education and research.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Committees of Senior Officials
Institutions
Co-operation body
Nordic Council of Ministers for Finance (MR-FINANS)
The remit of MR-FINANS consists of inter-governmental co-operation on economic and financial affairs. MR-FINANS meets once a year to discuss areas of fiscal policy where Nordic co-operation generates greater value than if the countries act alone.
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Committees of Senior Officials
Committees of Senior Officials
Working groups and committee
The Secretary General
The Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers is the head of the Secretariat and plays a key role in developing and coordinating Nordic intergovernmental co-operation.
The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation appoint the Secretary General for four years and may extend the period of office by a further two years. The Secretary General is responsible for doing the groundwork and presenting initiatives that enhance and develop the co-operation between the Nordic countries.
The Secretary General is also responsible for the day-to-day running of the Secretariat, which does the administrative work for official Nordic co-operation. The Secretary General also appoints the heads of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ institutions.
Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers
Finlands og Ålands formandskab 2025
Finland og Ålands fælles formandskab for Nordisk Ministerråd vil i 2025 arbejde for et samlet og stærkt Norden. Hovedfokus vil være på samfundsmæssig sikkerhed og modstandsdygtighed, bæredygtighed, konkurrenceevne og børn og unge.
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Sweden’s presidency 2024
The Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2024 seeks to make the Nordic Region safer, greener and freer and to help it become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.
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Islands formandskab 2023
Peace plays a key role in the programme for the Icelandic presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers and the ambition to make the Nordic Region green, competitive and socially sustainable.
Norwegian presidency 2022
The focus of Norway’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers will be on the three priority areas of a green, competitive, and socially sustainable Nordic Region. We will step up efforts relating to the vision, help to increase the pace of the green transition, and ensure that the Nordic Council of Ministers works effectively. Together we will build a stronger and greener Nordic Region.
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The Finnish Presidency 2021
Finland’s presidency programme is based on the vision for Nordic co-operation, which states that the Nordic Region shall be the most integrated and sustainable region in the world. Furthermore, the programme for 2021 draws up guidelines for active co-operation on the creation of a greener, more competitive, and more socially sustainable Nordic Region.
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The Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2020
Working Together on Solutions for the Future is both the title and the ambition for the joint Danish, Greenlandic and Faroese Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2020. The programme seeks to implement the Council of Ministers’ new Vision 2030, i.e. to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.
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Iceland’s Presidency 2019
Youth, sustainable tourism and the marine environment are the priority areas under the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019. Nordic priorities for gender equality, digitisation, sustainable development and the UN's global goals are integrated into the projects of the Presidency.
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Sweden’s presidency 2018
An inclusive, sustainable, innovative, safe, and open Nordic Region forms the basis for Sweden’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2018. Digitisation is a recurrent theme throughout Sweden’s presidency programme.
Norwegian presidency 2017
Norway holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2017. The programme for the Norwegian presidency focuses on the Nordic Region in transition, the Nordic Region in the world and the Nordic Region in Europe.
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The Finnish Presidency 2016
Finland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2016. The main themes for the Presidency are water, nature and people.
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The Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2015
Growth, welfare and values are the keywords of the 2015 Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
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Icelandic Presidency Programme 2014
The green economy and security for the Nordic welfare state will be in focus during the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014.
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Secretary of the Nordic Council of Ministers
Department for Administration and Operational Development (AFU)
The Department for Administration and Operational Development has an overall responsibility for financial management and accounting for the whole of the Nordic House, including bookkeeping, monthly reconciliations, annual accounts and much more. The department is also responsible for the portfolio management of initiatives funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ budget and which make a contribution to Vision 2030.
Secretary General's Office (GSK)
Nordic Council of Ministers’ Baltic offices
Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia
One of the office’s most important tasks is to pick up on new trends and look for new opportunities for joint Nordic-Estonian co-operation, in dialogue with the Nordic embassies, with which the office has a close working relationship. The office also works broadly as the advocate of all that is ‘Nordic’ and promotes Nordic co-operation in Estonia.
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The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia is a part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat and serves as a catalyst for the Nordic-Baltic cooperation in Latvia. The Office works closely with the Nordic diplomatic representations in Latvia and coordinates joint Nordic initiatives, as well as identifies trends and opportunities for the Nordic–Baltic cooperation.
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Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Lithuania
One of the office's most important tasks is to catch new trends and look for new opportunities for joint Nordic-Lithuanian co-operation, in dialogue with the Nordic embassies, with which the office has a close working relationship. The office also works broadly as the advocate of all that is 'Nordic' and promotes Nordic Co-operation in Lithuania.
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Visionsstyrning
The Department of Knowledge and Welfare (KV)
The Department of Knowledge and Welfare works with initiatives pertaining to education and research, social matters including health and welfare issues, as well as labour market matters. The department holds primary responsibility for Nordic co-operation on language and is responsible for inter-sectoral efforts regarding integration on behalf of the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation.
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Department for Growth and Climate (VK)
The remit of the Department for Growth and Climate includes co-ordinating Nordic co-operation on business (MR-NÆRING), Regional development (MR-REGIONAL), energy (MR-ENERGI), the environment and climate (MR-MK), digitalisation (MR-DIGITAL) and financial policy (MR-FINANS).
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Communications Department (KOMM)
Together with the head of communications, KOMM's information officers, website staff, interpreters, translators, publications staff, project workers, administrators and student helpers look after long-term and day-to-day communication and information work for the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
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Gender equality, international co-operation, natural resources and culture (LINK)
The department of Gender equality, international co-operation, natural resources and culture is responsible for coordinating Nordic cooperation in the areas of: Equality and LGBTI; Children and Young People (the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People); International cooperation; Fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, food, forestry and New Nordic Food; Culture, art, media and the Nordic cultural institutions.