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 forwards, Nordic companies must have the capacity and ability to innovate and compete in global markets. A competitive Nordic Region requires intersectoral co-operation. The Nordic countries should step up their co-operation in relation to export markets.
The presidency will promote the competitiveness of Nordic companies by stepping up co-operation in the areas of innovation and sustainable solutions, which will strengthen the Nordic Region’s position as an attractive investment object 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 functioning competition. 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 find practical solutions to major societal challenges. The work of the Nordic Council of Ministers and its decision-making 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. A digitally borderless Nordic Region is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and a sustainable Nordic Region. The presidency will promote a digitally borderless 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 widely has decreased in recent years, so the presidency will promote high-quality 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 an important factor for economic stability and social welfare. Although our energy profiles are different, our common goal is to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable supply of energy. The Nordic diversity of energy sources 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 the security of supply. The security of the energy infrastructure is of the utmost importance in ensuring the reliable and uninterrupted supply of energy, protecting critical societal functions, and preventing various threats and interruptions.
Ensuring sufficient electricity production capacity even in crisis situations is crucial. A low-emission and sustainable energy future requires technical innovations and co-operation.
The bioeconomy plays an important role in industry innovation and as an enabler of valuable business activities and new jobs. Through Nordic co-operation and the sustainable management and use of resources, we can improve the Nordic Region’s competitiveness in relation to other regions and support industry’s opportunities 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 co-operation should promote the cohesive development of policy and legislation related to the bioeconomy, as well as facilitate and accelerate the approval of and market access for bio-based products. It is essential to ensure a flexible value chain, sufficient research initiatives, and industrial scalability. Nordic co-operation will also promote joint research and innovation and attract investment.
The new geopolitical reality poses challenges for the Nordic countries, which depend on unrestricted international trade and investment. Together, the countries can leverage their strengths and counter the vulnerability of Nordic industry. Finland’s presidency will promote a project examining Nordic industry’s international value chains within selected critical sectors. When it comes to value chains, when working with risk management 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 reducing vulnerability in industrial value chains.
The transport systems of tomorrow are safe, knowledge-based, and sustainable. They consist of networks and services for passengers and freight, and 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 overall safety. It is necessary to work together, based on the perspective of the transport system as a whole.
The conditions should be established to transition to alternative fuels in the transport sector, especially in heavy goods traffic, while taking into account technical neutrality. During the transition, citizens’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness must be protected. The presidency will promote a Nordic co-operation project exploring alternative fuels for heavy goods vehicles.
Nordic co-operation to improve transport, logistics, and communication links and to promote preparedness and preparation is crucial. Security of supply and preparation for the development of digital and physical contacts and services have become increasingly important. Similarly, co-operation and the identification of interdependencies between sectors are becoming increasingly important. 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 have been affected by the situation in the Red Sea and its impact on international shipping, the growth of the so-called shadow fleet, and the situation in the Baltic Sea, among other things. Functioning transport routes are essential for the survival of Nordic business and, consequently, 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 co-operation on tourism, Finland and Åland will promote the implementation of the tourism co-operation plan drawn up in 2024 and explore funding opportunities with the Nordic tourism working group, Nordic Innovation, and the secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Participation at Osaka Expo 2025 with a joint Nordic pavilion is a good example of cross-border co-operation 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 co-operation 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 societal challenges should be strengthened further.
A competitive Nordic Region requires inter-sectoral co-operation. The Nordic countries should also step up co-operation around the promotion of Nordic exports.