Nordic Council Session in Helsinki focuses on comprehensive security

The 78th Session of the Nordic Council is convening at the Parliament of Finland in Helsinki from 26 to 29 October. Under the theme ‘Nordic comprehensive security’, the gathering brings together 87 elected representatives and Nordic prime ministers to address a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Discussions will cover a broad spectrum of security concerns, including military defense, energy, digital infrastructure, food supply, and democracy. A significant focus of the session involves Arctic security, specifically examining the strategic roles of Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland within the context of changing shipping routes, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure.

In conjunction with the council session, a seminar on peace mediation will be held to explore how Nordic countries can strengthen collective contributions to international stability. The seminar aims to evaluate whether a joint Nordic approach could allow the region to act as a more influential international actor amidst increasing strategic competition and pressure on the rules-based international order.