Nordic Neighbours Step Up Crisis Planning

The Nordic Council of Ministers will introduce a civil protection and emergency preparedness programme on January 1, 2027, when Norway takes over the presidency. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre presented Norway’s priorities in Helsinki on October 27.

Energy, health and critical infrastructure are central to the plans, alongside closer cooperation against organised crime across borders.

Help across borders

The programme aims to improve coordination across sectors in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Norway also wants to remove barriers that complicate assistance between the countries during emergencies.

– No one thinks about national borders when the power goes out or medicines are in short supply, said Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s minister for Nordic cooperation.

Aukrust will lead the Norwegian presidency. The government’s announcement did not specify new funding or a timetable for individual measures.

Stability in the Arctic

Norway will also lead the Nordic foreign policy forum, N5, and the Nordic-Baltic group, NB8, which includes Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania alongside the five Nordic countries. Both presidencies will give particular attention to the Arctic and northern Europe.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said NATO membership across the Nordic region created opportunities for closer security cooperation. He stressed Norway’s commitment to a stable, predictable Arctic and the need to prevent misunderstandings and unintended escalation.

Protecting democratic rights

The presidency will also address disinformation and digital influence, with cooperation on democratic participation, public trust and fundamental rights. Protecting children online will be a particular priority, including stronger demands on technology companies and giving young people a voice in shaping the rules.