Prime Minister Orpo highlights comprehensive security at Nordic Council Session

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasised the need to work together to improve comprehensive security at the meeting of Nordic prime ministers in Oslo on Tuesday 31 October. He also spoke about the matter at the Nordic Summit with the region’s prime ministers and heads of government, which took place during the 75th Session of the Nordic Council.

In his speech at the summit, Prime Minister Orpo noted that promoting comprehensive security is the key to strengthening the Nordic region’s resilience and preparedness for crises. The Nordic countries already cooperate extensively to ensure the security of their citizens, but this work should be expanded even further. 

Prime Minister Orpo proposed creating a Nordic security of supply network. He drew attention to several key areas for development, such as the sharing of information and situational awareness, joint exercises and training, and material preparedness. 

In his summit speech, Prime Minister Orpo also described how the energy transition can act as a driver of new growth and strengthen security.

“The Nordic region can set the example for clean energy worldwide. Here, I am thinking of offshore wind power plants and hydrogen economy solutions, for example. We also need nuclear power and are making good progress on carbon capture,” said Prime Minister Orpo. 

The third theme of the session was young people’s participation in democracy, and Prime Minister Orpo emphasised the need to involve children and young people more closely in the preparation of decisions.

“We must continue to focus on addressing the vulnerability of children and young people and combating the health-related challenges they face, while ensuring they can participate in decision-making and have their voices heard directly,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

At this year’s Nordic Council Session, the Nordic prime ministers and the heads of government from Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland discussed artificial intelligence and digital resilience, climate change, and the goal of making the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.

Prime Minister Orpo also had a bilateral meeting in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Their discussions focused on securing critical infrastructure, continuing support for Ukraine and further deepening relations between their countries, among other themes.

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Orpo attended the awards ceremony for the traditional Nordic Council Prizes, which are awarded for literature, young people’s literature, music, film and the environment.

Inquiries: Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 295 160 978 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU and International Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33