Denmark takes up the baton for Nordic co-operation

28.10.14 | News
Helle Thorning-Schmidt og Carsten Hansen præsenterer Danmarks formandskabsprgram for 2015
Photographer
Samuel Enblom
Growth, welfare and values, and the Arctic are the headlines of the Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2015.

The Presidency of the Nordic governments' official co-operation forum, the Nordic Council of Ministers, rotates between the five member states and in 2015 it is the turn of Denmark to head up the co-operation. The Danish Programme for the Presidency 2015 has been drawn up on close co-operation with Greenland and the Faroe Islands and was presented by Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the Nordic Council Session in Stockholm on 28 October in the presence of the other countries' prime ministers.

 Growth

"Growth is crucial if we are to maintain and develop the Region's position as a leader especially in green solutions, energy and climate. Therefore growth, job creation and increased competitiveness are central elements in the Danish Programme for the Presidency", said the Danish Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Carsten Hansen.

Specifically, Denmark will work for the development of attractive, smart and sustainable cities for which the Region is known. In 2015 the Presidency will launch a major Nordic project competition for new solutions for the development of attractive and sustainable urban areas. 

Denmark will also present a Nordic action plan to promote the effective use of resources and sustainable Nordic fashion and textile production.

Welfare

Denmark will strengthen co-operation in selected welfare areas and ensure that the common resources and potential is used for the benefit of Nordic citizens, for example through better knowledge transfer of initiatives that can help reduce inequality in health.

Values

In 2015 Denmark will also focus on making greater use of the Nordic "brand" to promote knowledge of the Region and profile it for the benefit of growth and welfare.

"New Nordic Food" has helped to put the Region on the world map and Denmark aims to build on this brand and focus more on joint Nordic initiatives in the growth economies.

The Arctic

The Arctic occupies an increasingly important place on the Nordic agenda and internationally. The Danish Presidency, with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, will work to strengthen joint Nordic/Arctic co-operation on the special climate challenges in the Arctic.

The Danish Programme for the Presidency and be read here and the individual initiatives can be followed throughout the year on www.norden2015.dk.