Translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence*

'One in three Norwegian children and young people aged 9–18, spends at least three hours a day on social media, on their mobile phone alone. Norway has introduced mobile-free schools, is introducing an age limit of 16 for social media and is regulating the use of artificial intelligence in schools. There is growing support for these measures across the Nordic region. During Norway's Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, we will take further steps to ensure the safety and protection of children and young people in the Nordic countries,'' said Prime Minister Støre.

The Prime Minister presented the plans for the Norwegian Presidency at the Nordic summit held at the Session of the Nordic Council in Helsinki today. Norway's Presidency in 2027 will have three main priorities:

  1. strengthening preparedness, security of supply and societal resilience;
  2. safeguarding democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights;
  3. intensifying efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, in order to strengthen the competitiveness and technological capacity of the Nordic region.

Better prepared for crises

Under the first priority, Norway will build on the efforts of the preceding presidencies and strengthen cooperation in the areas of energy, health, critical infrastructure, and the fight against organised and cross-border crime. On 1 January 2027, the Nordic Council of Ministers will launch a new programme on civil protection and emergency preparedness. The programme is intended to promote better coordination across sectors.

'In the Nordic region, we stand by one another. No one thinks about national borders when the power goes out or medicines are in short supply. That is why we are working to remove cross-border barriers so that we can strengthen safety and security in people's daily lives, including when crises arise,' said Minister of Nordic Cooperation Åsmund Aukrust.

Mr Aukrust will lead Norway's Presidency on behalf of the Government over the coming year.

Democracy and a safer digital environment

As part of the second priority, Norway will place particular emphasis on the rights of children and young people online. The Norwegian Presidency will follow up the new Marienborg Manifesto, which has been signed by all the Nordic prime ministers. The manifesto provides a basis for closer Nordic cooperation on regulating technology and screen use. Children and young people will be given a voice in this work.

'Children and young people must be able to grow up without being exposed to harmful content and manipulative algorithms. This means that we must impose stricter requirements on technology companies,' said Prime Minister Støre.

Norway will follow up the Norwegian-Finnish call for better oversight of the development of the most advanced AI models. As part of its Presidency, Norway will also give priority to cooperation on democratic resilience, participation and trust in the face of disinformation, polarisation and digital influence. These will also be key topics at the Vision Conference in 2027, which Norway will organise in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Technology and the green transition will create value

The third priority will involve intensifying efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. During Norway's previous Presidency in 2022, the Prime Minister launched an initiative to strengthen Nordic cooperation on the Skagerrak and the marine environment.

'Fish stocks in the Oslofjord and the Skagerrak have declined, and marine ecosystems are under severe pressure. This year, Norway has closed three large areas of the Oslo fjord to fishing to allow marine life to recover. In 2027, we will take the initiative to establish new cooperation between researchers, municipalities and regions around the Skagerrak to preserve and restore the marine environment,' said Prime Minister Støre.

Greater security in the Nordic region

Over the coming year, Norway will also chair Nordic foreign policy cooperation (N5) and Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8). The Arctic and the High North will naturally be important elements of both chairships. With all the Nordic countries now members of NATO, Nordic cooperation has gained a new security policy dimension.

'The Nordic countries are in a stronger position than many other regions because of our high level of trust and long tradition of cooperation. With all the Nordic countries now members of NATO, our defense capabilities and the security of our region have been strengthened, and we are able to work in a more integrated manner. Norway remains committed to maintaining stability and predictability in the Arctic and emphasizes the importance of preventing misunderstandings and unintended escalation. Arctic Sentry is one example of how Allies are building a more coherent presence and situational awareness in the north,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

*This is a preliminary translation, using AI. The text has also been proof read by our employees, but there can be certain discrepancies from the original Norwegian text.