Strengthened Nordic cooperation on oceans and climate action
Press release | Date: 15/08/2022 | Office of the Prime Minister
The Nordic Prime Ministers – Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Mette Frederiksen, Sanna Marin, Magdalena Andersson and Jonas Gahr Støre – have agreed to work together to promote healthy marine ecosystems in the Nordic oceans and facilitate the green transition.
‘Nordic cooperation is more important than ever before as we seek to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Swedish and Finnish membership of NATO, and the climate and energy crisis,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Norway holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2022, and Mr Støre is hosting a meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers in Oslo on 15 August. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also be present for parts of the meeting.
The Nordic Prime Ministers have agreed that the region should assume a leading role in global efforts to reduce marine pollution, safeguard marine biodiversity, and achieve zero emissions in shipping by 2050. See the joint statement here (PDF).
‘Our ocean areas are threatened by loss of biodiversity, pollution and climate change. During Norway’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, we will strengthen Nordic efforts to achieve sustainable management of the oceans. Together, the Nordic countries can influence and enhance the resilience of ocean areas nationally, regionally and globally. In addition, the Nordic countries have agreed to expand cooperation on developing offshore wind power in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea,’ said Mr Støre.