A competitive Nordic Region
The Nordic Region is one of the biggest regions in the world. Our global competitiveness is vital not only for business but also for ensuring our future prosperity. Nordic co-operation’s core tasks include improving upskilling and reskilling and creating the best possible conditions for people and companies to operate across national borders.
If our countries are to thrive in global competition, education systems of high-quality and equity are needed, with a clear link to in-demand skills in the labour market particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Swedish Presidency will, therefore, make Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) an overarching theme in co-operation on education and research, along with Nordic research infrastructure and interdisciplinary research in areas such as the Arctic, health and welfare.
Greater and sustainable access to innovation-critical metals and minerals is a precondition for the green transition, makes business more competitive, and also improves the Nordic Region’s emergency preparedness. The electrification of our societies means that minerals and metals are increasingly important. The Nordic countries have unique access to many of the metals used in new technologies, opportunities to extract them sustainably, and a strong tradition of standing up for sustainability and human rights. The Swedish Presidency will, therefore, prioritise continuing the work in this area in conjunction with Nordic Innovation.
Developing the Nordic bio-economy and sustainable food systems is a strategically important area and one in which Nordic co-operation can provide significant added value. A more robust food supply chain, production and further processing of biological raw materials provide better conditions for job creation, greater resilience and more sustainable growth, which strengthens the whole Nordic Region. While the challenges in sustainability work are largely global, the solutions are primarily local. The Swedish Presidency will bring up the issue of updating the Nordic bioeconomy programme. Special attention will be paid to preparedness in food and drinking water systems by discussing the lessons learned, the success criteria, and how the Nordic countries can work more closely together in this area.
Differences in building regulations between the Nordic countries make it difficult for construction companies to operate across borders. Closer co-operation within new areas of regulation and development will help improve freedom of movement across borders and the competitiveness of the Nordic market. Therefore, the Swedish Presidency intends to strengthen co-operation through increased information exchanges about the implementation of relevant new and amended EU legislation.
The high level of digital maturity in the Nordic-Baltic region, in terms of competency and access, is a competitive advantage with great additional potential. Higher levels of data use, new technology and 5G are all fundamental to capitalising on the opportunities provided by digitalisation in both the private sector and in health and social care and to the promotion of a green digital transition.
A well-functioning digital infrastructure is vital to society. The Nordic countries are dependent on international subsea cables not only for communication with the outside world but also for national electronic communication. The geopolitical situation makes secure global communication central to Nordic, EU and international co-operation. The Nordic Region is a hub that has the potential, via an Arctic link, to connect the Nordic Region and the EU with the rest of the world. The Swedish Presidency will pay attention to the need for Nordic consensus and co-operation, with a view to supporting current initiatives aimed at securing global redundant connectivity.
The Swedish Presidency will also drive efforts to reduce digital exclusion in the area of e-identification. Work will also continue at the Nordic-Baltic level to build an infrastructure for Nordic and European digital identity wallets in order to enable the safe exchanges of so-called attested attributes, such as grades and registration data.
Capitalising on the fast pace of technological development and the comprehensive digitalisation of society is vital for Nordic competitiveness but also involves a number of challenges. One important aspect is that the big tech companies have substantial influence and, therefore, responsibility for developments. The Swedish Presidency will, therefore, continue to bring together relevant actors to discuss both physical and digital infrastructure and how we can uphold safe, secure and open democratic conversations.
The Nordic pavilion at the World Exhibition in Osaka (Expo 2025) provides a unique opportunity to promote an innovative and competitive Nordic Region, sustainable Nordic solutions and Nordic values. In 2024, the preparatory work will be intensified, with a view to putting together an inviting pavilion that effectively promotes the Nordic countries.
During the Presidency, the Nordic Economic Policy Review (NEPR) will act as an important discussion forum and a platform for generating Nordic consensus on shared policy challenges. In particular, it will focus on fiscal policy in times of macroeconomic uncertainty.
The Nordic Region's global competitiveness is vital not only for business but also for ensuring our future prosperity.