A Common Path: Iceland's Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019

Book excerpt: Young people, sustainable tourism and ocean affairs are in focus under Iceland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019. Nordic emphases on gender equality, digitalisation and sustainable development are incorporated into the Presidency projects, together with the UN Global Goals. The theme of the Presidency refers to the Nordic countries’ friendship, as it is manifest in mobility and strong mutual co-operation. They also share common paths to the rest of the world, where the Nordic countries present themselves jointly and make their contribution to international co-operation for peace, security and environmental protection. The common paths of the future lie through the digital world. There is deep-rooted respect for the principles of democracy and rule of law in the Nordic countries. We are determined to continue to be peaceful and diverse welfare societies, where culture and education flourish, and everyone is entitled to enjoy life’s opportunities. Societies where innovation goes hand-in-hand with the interests of nature, employment and a vital economy. Nordic co-operation has shown that it is better to build bridges than walls. There is nothing old-fashioned about co-operation, friendship and respect. These basic Nordic values are always at the forefront.