Finland and Åland jointly led the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025, with a strong focus on children and youth, and on strengthening societal security across the Nordic region. The Co-Presidency advanced the shared Nordic vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030 through close coordination among governments, ministries and regional partners.
A central priority of the year was comprehensive societal security. In response to a changing security environment, Nordic cooperation increasingly emphasised preparedness across sectors to address civil crises and hybrid threats. This commitment was reinforced in a joint statement by Nordic prime ministers following their meeting in Turku and Paimio in May, highlighting the importance of resilience and coordinated action at the regional level.
Throughout the year, preparedness themes featured prominently in ministerial meetings and sectoral cooperation. In education, efforts focused on media literacy and democracy education as tools to strengthen societal resilience. Climate-related security risks were also addressed, including the potential impacts of climate change on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Finland supported scientific dialogue on this issue by backing the Nordic Tipping Point Week, organised by leading research institutions.
The Co-Presidency also aimed to enhance the visibility of Nordic cooperation within Finland and Åland by hosting meetings and high-level events across the regions, including a seminar on the future of Nordic cooperation in Mariehamn.
As Denmark and the Faroe Islands assumed the Presidency in 2026, Finland prepared to continue its Nordic leadership role by taking over the Presidency of the Nordic Council, strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation in the year ahead.
