Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers for Labour (MR-A) consists of the national ministers for employment and labour. Its remit covers intergovernmental co-operation on employment issues, the labour market, the working environment and labour law.

The Nordic countries work together on business, energy and regional policies in order to promote continued positive growth in the Region. The Nordic Council of Ministers for Sustainable Growth consists of ministers responsible for business, energy and regional policy.

On 22 June 2017, MR-SAM decided to establish an ad hoc council of ministers for digitalisation (MR-DIGITAL) for the period 2017 to 2024. MR-DIGITAL has one minister each from the Nordic countries; Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland. As well as the Baltic countries; Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The following ministers have been appointed to MR-DIGITAL

MR-FJLS consists of one council of ministers covering four policy areas: Fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, food, and forestry. The core tasks of MR-FJLS involve promoting the sustainable use of nature and genetic resources.

The Nordic governments' co-operation in the area of legislation is led by the Nordic ministers of justice who make up MR-JUST. Legislative co-operation is a tool for the Nordic countries in the work to promote the fundamental common principles of Nordic legislation.

The culture ministers from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland have the overarching responsibility for cultural co-operation within the Nordic Council of Ministers. The main objectives include encouraging diversity of cultural expression and promoting artists and their work.

Inter-governmental work on gender equality is the remit of MR-JÄM, which consists of the national ministers for gender equality. The shared culture, history and democratic traditions of the Nordic countries enable them to work closely and constructively together on gender equality.

The Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate (MR-MK) is responsible for the Nordic inter-governmental co-operation on environmental issues. Its remit includes preserving and enhancing the quality of the environment and of life in the Region and exerting influence on regional and international co-operation.

The Nordic governments' co-operation within the social and health care sector is led by the Nordic ministers for health and social affairs who make up MR-S. Nordic co-operation within the social and health care area is based on common values which constitute the basis of the Nordic welfare model.

Inter-governmental co-operation on research and education is headed up by the education and research ministers, who make up the Nordic Council of Ministers for Education and Research (MR-U). The role of the Council of Ministers is to help ensure that the Nordic Region remains a world leader in knowledge and skills.

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.