Prime Minister Kiviniemi and Nordic cooperation ministers in Turku
Finland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2011. On Monday 31 January, Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi will present the Presidency Programme at a Nordic Conference on Sustainable Development in Turku. Finland has set comprehensive management of climate change as its number one presidency theme. The aim is to improve the Nordic countries’ role as a strong and unified player in climate issues.
The theme of the conference is “SOLUTIONS local, together” and its aims to strengthen cooperation among states, cities, regions, companies and organisations, build new partnerships, and provide information on sustainable solutions. In her opening speech, Prime Minister Kiviniemi will focus on the significance of local solutions for the Baltic Sea region. Political will and commitment to sustainable development are indispensable for the emergence of practical measures, business ideas and solutions.
Nordic Ministers of Cooperation to participate in an interactive panel discussion
Ministers of Nordic Cooperation will also convene in Turku. The conference will bring together Minister of Housing Jan Vapaavuori from Finland, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling from Sweden, Minister of Education, Science and Culture Katrín Jakobsdottír from Iceland, Minister for Trade Veronica Thörnroos from the Åland Islands, and Minister for Finance Palle Christiansen from Greenland. The panel will debate whether climate change poses a threat to the Nordic welfare model. The more than 500 conference participants may steer the discussion through an interactive voting arrangement.
Further information: Antti Vänskä, Special Adviser, International Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2068 or +358 40 513 1458 and Bo Lindroos, Head of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5600 or +358 40 158 5451