The Nordics aren’t organised enough to face the next crisis
“We can and should do more to strengthen preparedness in the Nordics”.
That was the message from Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Nordic parliamentarians during the Nordic Council theme debate at the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, in Oslo.
He stressed the importance of “everyday preparedness”, which is not just about military defence, but about ensuring the normal functioning of society: “The systems and co-operation that work in peacetime must also work in times of crisis.”
What if crisis strikes?
The war in Ukraine is a clear example of this. The full-scale war is now in its fifth year, and the experiences of Ukraine demonstrate what it actually takes to keep society going in a crisis.
Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Health and Care, Ihor Kopach, shared the country’s experiences from a healthcare system under extreme pressure. In particular, he stressed the importance of robust systems and the ability to maintain health services in all conditions: “Power cuts, many casualties, and full-scale war – our aim is to keep the healthcare system running regardless of the situation.”
Kopach also took the opportunity to thank the Nordic countries for their support to Ukraine its healthcare system:
We feel your support each and every day. Your support makes it possible for our healthcare system to survive.
Nordisk råds president Ville Väyrynen og Jonas Gahr Støre på Nordisk råds temasesjon 2026.
President of the Nordic Council, Ville Väyrynen, and Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the Nordic Council Theme Session at the Storting in Oslo.
Updating strategy for societal security
During 2026, the Nordic Council Presidium is working on an update of the Nordic Council’s strategy for societal security, which was adopted in 2019.
During the Theme Session, the strategy was discussed by the Nordic Council’s committees and Presidium. The update must take into account the changed security policy picture in Europe, the experiences from the pandemic, and new knowledge about societal security.
The objective is for the strategy to form the basis for a recommendation to the Nordic governments and the Nordic Council of Ministers on the further follow-up of measures to strengthen preparedness in the Nordic Region.
“We live in a time and world where everyone shares responsibility for preparedness. It’s not just about defence policy or foreign policy. We must be prepared in all sectors and at all levels – including at the individual level,” says the President of the Nordic Council, Ville Väyrynen.
