"We're delighted that NATO's Secretary General will be a guest speaker when politicians from all over the Nordic region convene in Oslo on 31^st October," said Jorodd Asphjell (Labour Party), President of the Nordic Council. 

A safe, green and young Nordic Region

Security policy is one of the most important items on the agenda for Nordic cooperation, not least as a result of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. The programme for this year's Norwegian Presidency has been called "A safe, green and young Nordic Region". Defence and security cooperation is a fundamental condition for safety in the region.

"We now look forward to the entire Nordic Region being united in NATO, and will discuss with NATO's Secretary Gerneral what implications this will have for Nordic security and cooperation," continued Mr Asphjell.

Jorodd Asphjell, President of the Nordic Council, during the Council's session in Helsinki in 2022. Photo: Magnus Fröderberg, norden.org

President of the Storting to open the session

The President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani, will officially open the session in the Storting Chamber at 14:00 on Tuesday 31^st October. This will be followed by a joint summit between the Nordic Council and the Nordic prime ministers.

Awarding the Nordic Council prizes

Five prizes – the Literature Prize, the Children and Young People’s Literature Prize, the Music Prize, the Film Prize, and the Environment Prize – will be awarded in connection with the Nordic Council session. The Literature Prize has been presented since 1962.

The awards ceremony will be held in the Oslo Opera House at 19:30 on Tuesday 31^st October.

Press accreditation

Journalists and photographers who would like to attend the Nordic Council session and/or the awards ceremony must apply for accreditation by 14:00 (Norwegian time) on 27^th October at the latest. Valid press cards only.

There will be the opportunity to take photos and hold interviews immediately after the awards ceremony.

About the Nordic Council session

The Nordic Council is an important arena for Nordic cooperation. Since this year it is Norway's turn to hold the Presidency, the annual session will take place in the Storting. Here, the Nordic Council's 87 parliamentarians, the Nordic prime ministers and foreign ministers as well as a number of other government ministers from across the region will meet to discuss and debate key issues for Nordic cooperation.