The Nordic Council of Ministers’ political priorities 2025–2030

The Nordic Council of Ministers has published 14 new sectoral co-operation programmes that will guide its inter-governmental work until 2025–2030.

Photographer
Jacob Dyer, Unsplash

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ political priorities 2025–2030

The Nordic Prime Ministers have a common vision for the Nordic Region to be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. This will require a strong level of political co-operation.

From 2025, the Council of Ministers will be directed by 14 sector-policy co-operation programmes with a common focus, as well as clear priorities and targeted measures. This will give the Nordic Region the best foundation to become a green, sustainable and competitive region by 2030.

Karen Ellemann quote

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

“Looking closely at all of the programmes for Nordic co-operation up to 2030, I do not doubt for a second that the Nordic region will be stronger as we enter the next decade”.

Integrated preparedness makes us robust

We also intend to collaborate on the issues of food and energy security, as well as the supply of pharmaceuticals and access to critical raw materials and infrastructure. In the same way, we shall also work jointly to prepare ourselves for crises caused by climate and environmental changes. Through the medium of culture, we will also work to create living communities, as these will be crucial in enabling the Nordic Region to weather crises.

Culture, democracy and an engaged citizenry form the foundation of the Nordic Region

We will work to ensure a rich cultural co-operation that will bolster cohesion, inclusion and diversity and boost both democratic skills and critical thinking through education and training. Everyone in the Nordic Region must have the possibility and the right conditions to participate in society.

Mobility and relations create Nordic cohesion

We will break down barriers and make it easier to work, live, study and run a business across the Nordic Region. Our aim is to bring Nordic citizens together and promote cohesion through strong cultural and linguistic co-operation, development schemes and by providing support for Nordic networks.

Innovation and new competencies ensure growth and well-being

We will draw on one another in order to strengthen the competitiveness of Nordic businesses. It is important that both the private and public sectors possess the competencies and the workforce to meet the needs of the future. We will focus on quality and equality in our welfare sectors, and work to generate long-term growth potential for the Nordic Region.

New technologies require balanced, Nordic solutions

Working together, we will identify ways to utilise the potential of new technologies without compromising on individual rights, social relations or democratic processes.

Sustainability – The obvious choice

e will work to make the Nordic economy more circular by co-operating to effect systematic change among consumers, businesses and within the public sector. We want to manage our natural resources sustainably, especially those which lie offshore. The green transition must benefit us all.

Nordic international leadership

We will work together to brand the Nordic Region internationally in order to promote our core values and shared interests, and to support our businesses abroad. In particular, we will boost co-operation with our neighbours around the Baltic Sea, in the West and in the Arctic.

The 14 sectoral programmes for Nordic co-operation 2025–2030

The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation

Labour

Energy

Environment and Climate

Economic and Fiscal Policy

Gender Equality and LGBTI

Culture

Business

Education, Research and Languages

Health and Social Affairs

Justice

Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry

Regional Development

Digitalisation

...

...