A COMPETITIVE NORDIC REGION
The Nordic Region’s global economic position and competitiveness are crucial for ensuring the development of the business sector and the welfare of society. Going forward, Nordic companies must have the capacity and ability to innovate and compete in global markets. A competitive Nordic Region requires intersectoral cooperation. The Nordic countries should step up their cooperation in relation to export markets.
The presidency will promote the competitiveness of Nordic companies by stepping up cooperation in the areas of innovation and sustainable solutions, which will strengthen the Nordic Region’s position as an attractive investment target for a resource-efficient transition to clean energy. Effective competition in the Nordics will help businesses to innovate. The Nordic countries see the benefits of open markets and well-functioning competition. Well-functioning markets can be promoted by highlighting the importance of competition and by pursuing predictable regulation that ensures conditions of equal competition and does not create unmotivated obstacles to entering or operating in a market.
A skilled and well-educated population creates the conditions for sustainable economic growth and strengthens social resilience in a changing world. There cannot be societally pivotal and sustainable innovations without a skilled population. It is also important that Nordic education systems deliver sufficient skills in critical industries to ensure security of supply and cater for the needs of the circular economy. Vocational training and higher education must therefore satisfy the skills requirements of critical industries.
Research plays a prominent role in the Nordics. Through interdisciplinary research that transcends collaborative structures, we can find practical solutions to major societal challenges. The work and decision-making of the Nordic Council of Ministers should consistently be based on research and research-based knowledge.
Finland and Åland will continue to pursue the free movement of people and companies and remove obstacles to freedom of movement that hinder economic growth. The presidency will promote a digitally borderless Nordic Region, as it is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and a sustainable Nordic Region. Mobility is an important tool for improving the quality of education and training while easing the shortage of skilled labour. Mobility also strengthens collaboration within the arts and culture sector and supports networking and project creation among civil society stakeholders. Mobility in the Nordic Region and Europe more broadly has decreased in recent years; with this in mind, the presidency will make an effort to promote well-functioning mobility between the Nordic countries.
It is important to promote the transition to clean energy and the use of renewable energy sources, which is a particular focus for Finland and Åland during their co-presidency. The energy security of the Nordic countries is a crucial factor for economic stability and social welfare. Although our energy profiles vary, our common goal is to ensure a reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of energy. The diversity of energy sources in the Nordic countries reduces the risks of excessive dependence on a single energy source and improves resilience.
The Nordic countries are closely connected through the internet and common markets. Cross-border interconnections help us balance variations in energy production and demand, streamline resource use and improve preparedness and security of supply. The security of energy infrastructure is of the utmost importance in ensuring the reliable and uninterrupted supply of energy, protecting the critical functions of society and preventing various threats and interruptions.
Ensuring sufficient electricity production capacity even in crises is crucial. A low- emission and sustainable energy future requires technical innovations and cooperation.
The bioeconomy plays an important role in industry innovation and as an enabler of valuable business activities and creator of new jobs. Through Nordic cooperation and the sustainable management and use of resources, we can improve the Nordic Region’s competitiveness in relation to other regions and support the opportunities of industry to leverage the full potential of the bioeconomy. By promoting opportunities for collaboration on bio-based products and finding solutions for the circular economy, we can improve resource efficiency and create economic growth.
Nordic cooperation should promote the cohesive development of policy and legislation related to the bioeconomy and should facilitate and accelerate approval and market access for bio-based products. It is essential to ensure a flexible value chain, sufficient research initiatives and industrial scalability. Nordic cooperation will also promote joint research and innovation while attracting investment.
The new geopolitical reality poses challenges for the Nordic countries, which depend on unrestricted international trade and investment. Together, the Nordic countries can leverage their strengths and counter the vulnerability of Nordic industry. Finland’s presidency will promote a project examining international value chains within selected critical sectors of Nordic industry. When it comes to risk management related to value chains, it is important to consider climate change and adaptation to it, as well as environmental deterioration. Solutions within the circular economy play a key role in making our industrial value chains less vulnerable.
The transport systems of tomorrow are safe, data-driven and sustainable. They consist of networks and services for passengers and freight, and they make use of all available information. In the future, people and goods must be able to move more safely, more sustainably, more flexibly and more cost-effectively, all with fewer emissions. During its presidency, Finland will tackle transport system planning at the strategic level with an emphasis on comprehensive security. Cooperation is essential and must take into account the transport system as a whole.
The conditions should be established to move towards alternative fuels in the transport sector, especially in heavy goods traffic, while taking into account technological neutrality. During the transition, citizens’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness must be protected. The presidency will promote a Nordic cooperation project exploring alternative fuels for heavy goods vehicles.
Nordic cooperation to improve transport, logistics and communication links and to promote preparedness and readiness is crucial. Security of supply and preparedness have become increasingly significant for the development of digital and physical connections and services. Similarly, it is becoming more important to work together and identify interdependencies between sectors. Critical infrastructure must be protected so that markets can continue to function and citizens can go about their day-to-day lives as usual under all circumstances.
Shipping and ports are crucial for transport as part of the Nordic countries’ overseas trading and to guarantee the availability of supplies. In 2024, the Nordic countries were affected by the situation in the Red Sea and its impacts on international shipping, the emergence of the ‘shadow fleet’ and the situation in the Baltic Sea, among others. Well-functioning transport routes are essential for the survival of Nordic business and for the competitiveness of society as a whole. Therefore, it is in the interests of the entire Nordic Region that safe winter shipping and icebreaker vessels be taken into account in the regulation of shipping emissions.
As part of Nordic cooperation on tourism, Finland and Åland will promote the implementation of the tourism cooperation plan drawn up in 2024 and explore funding opportunities with the Nordic tourism working group, Nordic Innovation and the secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Participation in Osaka Expo 2025 with a joint Nordic pavilion is a good example of cross- border cooperation and an excellent opportunity to highlight a competitive Nordic Region and the Nordic countries as a common investment market, as well as Nordic values, culture, innovation and sustainable development, all at an international level.
Cultural cooperation between the Nordic countries unites Nordic residents across borders and is pivotal for people’s welfare and participation. The creative sector and cultural scene play a key role in bolstering the competitiveness and international draw of the Nordic countries. The ability of the arts and culture sector to address challenges in society should be strengthened further.
A competitive Nordic Region requires inter-sectoral cooperation. The Nordic countries should also step up cooperation around the promotion of Nordic exports.