The Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official body for inter-governmental co-operation in the Nordic Region. It seeks common solutions wherever and whenever the countries can achieve more together than by working on their own.
Policy Areas
The Nordic Council of Ministers is the framework for official inter-governmental co-operation in the Nordic Region. It brings together ministers and senior officials from the whole of the Region, each with responsibility for their own policy area.
The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2026
Denmark and the Faroe Islands hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026. One of the main priorities of the presidency will be to ensure that the Helsinki Treaty is updated so that it reflects that Nordic co-operation consists of eight countries.
Our Vision 2030
Our vision is to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The co-operation in the Nordic Council of Ministers must serve this purpose.

COP17 + The Nordics are strong – but need to step up to maintain competitiveness

A bee sitting on a meadow flower
19-30 October

COP17 - UN Convention on Biological Diversity

The Nordic countries come together at the Nordic Pavilion during COP17 to contribute to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Nordic Pavilion provides a space for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and partnership-building.

The Nordics are strong – but need to step up to maintain competitiveness

New report: Although the Nordic Region is one of the most competitive regions in the world, its lead is narrowing. Since 2000, productivity has increased by 25 percent in the Nordics, compared with 43 percent in the US.

News

A bee sitting on a meadow flower
07.10.26
Nordic Council of Ministers

Nordic Pavilion at COP17 contributes to dialogue on biodiversity

A group of people standing together. The danish minister holding a piece of paper.
01.10.26
Nordic Council of Ministers

Nordic Ministers Launch New Growth Alliance to Strengthen the Nordic Region’s Global Competitiveness

Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordics are strong – but need to step up to maintain competitiveness

Nordic Council of Ministers

Leading role for Karen Ellemann in global campaign against food waste

Nordic Council of Ministers

Strong Nordic support for international co-operation on the climate and environment

Nordic Council of Ministers

Care and friendship define Nordic masculinity – economic insecurity creates challenges

More news

Nordic Currents + Care and friendship define Nordic masculinity

Nordic Currents to strengthen Nordic cultural presence in Europe

The Nordic Council of Ministers is launching Nordic Currents, a new international cultural initiative to be implemented during 2027 and 2028.

Care and friendship define Nordic masculinity

A new Nordic study shows that most Nordic citizens associate masculinity with friendship and care. At the same time, it also shows that economic insecurity significantly increases the risk of loneliness, poor mental health, and support for more restrictive ideals of masculinity.

Events

19 Oct
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COP 17: UN Convention on Biological Diversity

21 Oct

Fertility decline in Nordic countries: Nordic Economic Policy Review Conference

28 Oct
Event

Positive Nutrition, Mediterranean and Nordic Dietary Models: Innovation and Sustainability for Future Food Systems

16 Nov
Event

Copenhagen Summit for Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Rights

17 Nov

Nordregio Forum 2026: Competitive Nordics

08 Dec
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Event

Nordic Food Waste Summit 2026

All Nordic Council of Ministers’ events

Generalsekretæren

The Secretary General

The Nordic Council of Ministers' Secretariat

The Political Meeting Calendar

Nordic agreements and legislation

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ political priorities 2025–2030 + Programme for the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026

Programme for Denmark and the Faroe Islands' Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2026

In uncertain times, it is crucial that we stick together in the Nordic Region. That is why the title of the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026 is "The Nordic Region: Strong ties in changing times".

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.

Info Norden + The Nordic institutions

The Nordic institutions

The 12 Nordic institutions are spread throughout the Nordic Region. Their job is to promote Nordic co-operation on various topics.

Info Norden

Info Norden is the Nordic Council of Ministers’ information service for people who are planning to relocate to, or work, study, or start a business in the Nordic Region.

Focal Points

Oceans

Societal Security

New technologies

Future Skills

Shortcuts

Policy Areas
Facts about the Nordic Region
Apply for funding
COP30
EXPO 2025
Arctic Circle 2025
Pushing for Progress - CSW70
Arctic Frontiers 2026
Nordic Day 2026
Democracy on tour 2026

Publications

01.10.26

Analysis of Competitiveness in a Nordic Perspective

Publications number:
2026:538
22.09.26

Energy drink and caffeine consumptionamong Nordic adolescents

Publications number:
2026:537
31.08.26

Tourism Employment in the Arctic: Towards Decent Work

Publications number:
2026:525
14.09.26

How can Nordic competitiveness benefit from gender equality?

Publications number:
2026:527
All publications