Regional northern cooperation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry actively participates in the work of northern cooperation organisations.  Sustainable Nordic bioeconomy and sustainable food systemare key themes in the collaboration with other northern countries and regions.

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 Presidency of the Council of Ministers rotates among the five Nordic countries and is held for one year at a time. Finland will hold the Presidency in 2021.

During the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the horizontal themes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are, in particular, preparedness and resilience in the bioeconomy and food systems. In agriculture and forestry, the work is related to carbon binding, adaptation to climate change and the updating of the Nordic bioeconomy strategy and the PPP cooperation agreement on plant pre-processing. In the fisheries sector, climate measures, the importance of fish as food and the relocation of aquaculture are on the agenda. The food sector is working on the reform process of the Nordic nutrition recommendations and the sustainability of food systems. The aim is also to launch a joint Nordic action plan to reduce food losses.

Further information:
Ms Aulikki Hulmi, Director, International Affairs, tel. +35 295 162 113 aulikki.hulmi@mmm.fi

Useful external website
Nordic Council of Ministers