Future visions and the refugee crisis
The main topics of the summit will be boosting Nordic cooperation, future visions and international policy. Among those attending will be all of the environment ministers of the Nordic countries, who will be answering questions put to them by members of the Nordic Council.
The summit will also examine the issue of the refugee crisis and its impact on the Nordic countries, as well as Europe more broadly and the world as a whole. Sustainable development in connection with the crisis will likewise be discussed. This debate will be introduced by UN under-secretary-general Christian Friis Bach.
The Nordic prime ministers affirmed in Copenhagen in early October that their countries must continue to pursue close cooperation in the face of the refugee crisis and work together to offer those in need humanitarian aid, remaining true to the shared values of the region.
"We are following all the rules currently in force as part of European co-operation, and none of us have anything to criticise each other for. We agree that the refugee crisis must be resolved by way of a common European effort," explained Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Nordic Council prizes
Adding a festive touch to the summit each year is the Nordic Council prize ceremony and gala concert, which this year will be held at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik on 27 October. All of the Nordic public broadcasters will be providing coverage of the ceremony.
The prestigious prizes are awarded in five categories:
The nominees and winners are invaluable guides to those interested in Nordic culture and inspire people to preserve the environment that surrounds them.
Attending the summit from the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia will be director Christer Haglund and communications adviser Triin Oppi. The summit will be able to be followed on the official website of Nordic cooperation and on social media (#nrsession).