Briefing for the diplomatic corps on forums Sweden is chairing in 2024

This year, Sweden holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers and is coordinating the informal foreign and security policy cooperation formats known as the N5 (the Nordic countries) and the NB8 (the Nordic and Baltic countries).

Sweden’s priorities as coordinator of the N5 and NB8 are reinforcing Nordic and Nordic-Baltic security policy cooperation, reaffirming the unwavering support for Ukraine in the region and reaching out globally in support for Ukraine. 

“In a time of geopolitical challenges and a changed security situation in our neighbourhood, Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cooperation are more important than ever. We are stronger and our message reaches further when we speak with one voice. We want to use that voice to discuss the challenges and opportunities that our global partners are facing and how we can cooperate more closely on these issues”, says Mr Billström.

The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official body for intergovernmental cooperation in the Nordic region on issues such as the labour market, sustainable development, digitalisation, food systems, innovation and culture. The programme for the Swedish Presidency is based on the vision of the Nordic region being the world’s most integrated and sustainable region by 2030. 

“During the Swedish Presidency of the Council of Ministers, we will focus in particular on measures to improve cross-border mobility and integration. It should be easy to live, study, work and operate a business anywhere in the Nordic region and across its borders, which is why the Government is now stepping up the work to eliminate barriers to cross-border mobility and integration. We will continue to strive to ensure that the region remains a leader in the green transition, and a globally competitive and socially sustainable region”, says Ms Roswall.