The purpose of the international work undertaken by the Council of Ministers is to contribute towards the attainment of the sector’s goals, to boost Nordic influence both regionally and globally and to generate added value for both the Council of Ministers for Health and Social Affairs and for international actors. Some of the ways in which this is achieved include identifying and promoting common interests, exchanging experience, establishing new contacts and branding the social and health policy work of the Nordic Region. Co-operation can compliment other national, regional or international initiatives, such as those being pursued in the surrounding region, where the sector is also continuing to pursue common initiatives with the Baltic countries.
The work will take account of Agenda 2030, our international obligations and other relevant international initiatives. Central to this work is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Particular importance is attached to co-operation and co-ordination around subjects relating to the EU. The health and social care area has become increasingly important within EU co-operation and such co-operation is extensive, even if it is overwhelmingly characterised by national competencies. EU initiatives within the area of health and social care are taken up for discussion in meetings of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Health and Social Affairs and the Committee of Senior Officials for Social and Health Policy as needed.
Other relevant international arenas include the UN, the WHO and the OECD where co-operation can be considered to the extent it is relevant and possible.