New geopolitical reality requires closer Nordic co-operation on business policy
The world has changed, and new geopolitical tensions have arisen. This is adversely affecting business competitiveness and supply chains in the Nordic Region. Consequently, there is a need for new Nordic solutions that bolster the individual countries and the region as a whole. This was the background for the ministerial meeting hosted by Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation:
“In the international race for talent, companies, and opportunities, the Nordic countries are stronger together. We can learn from each other while marketing our region as an exciting destination for the world,” said Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir.
Green transition must pick up pace
The climate crisis, which the Nordic Region is already in the midst of, has now been joined by an energy crisis and concerns over security of supply. However, at today’s meeting, the ministers agreed that there are solutions to address these challenges. Although these lie within the green transition, the pace of the transition needs to pick up, according to what the ministers said at today’s meeting. And there are opportunities to do this in within Nordic co-operation in order to support the development, scaling, and export of green solutions.
New technologies and AI hold unimaginable possibilities
One area, which is related to the green transition, is digitalisation and AI. At the ministerial meeting, there was agreement that digital solutions, AI, and the use of data will accelerate the green transition and help to make the Nordic Region the most integrated and sustainable region in the world by 2030. Furthermore, there was agreement that the Nordic countries should be mindful of the challenges posed by new technologies and AI, ensuring that they become a positive and secure contribution to the competitiveness of the Nordic Region.
With regard to this, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers Karen Ellemann says:
New technologies are a prerequisite for the green transition. This is why, as democratic societies, we must ensure that new technology is developed and used with respect for democratic principles, ethical values, as well as the wishes and needs of the population.
