Nordic cooperation and northern regional cooperation

Nordic Council of Ministers

Nordic cooperation involves Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland as well as the self-governing territories Åland Islands, Faeroe Islands and Greenland. The countries collaborate within the Nordic Council, the Nordic Council of Ministers and in over 30 Nordic institutions.
Established in 1971, the Nordic Council of Ministers is an intergovernmental body for cooperation. The prime ministers hold overall responsibility, but in practice the responsibility has been assumed by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation and the Nordic Committee for Co-operation (NSK).

The Nordic Council of Ministers comprises several councils of ministers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry participates in the Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, Foodstuffs and Forestry (MR-FJLS). The Issues discussed are prepared and monitored by Committees of Senior Officials, consisting of national government officials. The Nordic Council of Ministers is assisted by the Secretariat operating in Copenhagen. The Nordic ministers of the sector usually meet once a year at the ministerial meeting.

The work of the Council of Ministers is guided by the Vision for Nordic Cooperation and sector-specific cooperation programs. The Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen) in Sweden is a joint Nordic institution under the FJLS sector.

Finland's Presidency in 2025

The Presidency of the Council of Ministers lasts for one year and rotates among the five Nordic countries. Finland will hold the Presidency in 2025.

During the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the horizontal themes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are, preparedness and resilience in the bioeconomy, as well as children and youth.

The key areas of focus in the cooperation are the sustainable management and use of bio-based natural resources, the healthy and sustainable consumption of food, and the sustainability of food systems. In fisheries-related cooperation, the sector's energy transition is highlighted. 

During the year, Finland will host the Nordic Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NOCCA).

Read Finland's presidency program here

Northern Regional Cooperation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry actively participates in cooperation within northern cooperation bodies (e.g., Barents and Baltic Sea cooperation). Sustainable Nordic bioeconomy and sustainable food systems are key themes in cooperation with other northern countries and regions.

Useful external website

Nordic Council of Ministers