Ireland and the Nordic-Baltic 8: Working Together for a Secure, Sustainable and Digital Europe” – will bring together leading experts from across Ireland and the Nordic-Baltic states (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden) to consider topics including digitisation, cyber and hybrid security challenges, and the transition to sustainable energy and green economy.
The half-day conference, taking place in Iveagh House, will be co-hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, together with the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) and the Ambassadors of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden accredited to Ireland. Proceedings will be moderated by Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
The event forms part of Ireland’s continuing engagement and work with our partners and neighbours in the Nordic Baltic region on issues at the top of the policy agenda across Europe.
The conference will help foster the relationship and share understanding between policy experts, industry, academia, and governments among these like-minded States on the challenges and opportunities that exist across these key subject areas.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, said:
The Ireland and Nordic Baltic 8 Conference is an excellent opportunity for us and our close friends in the Nordic Baltic countries to work collectively in considering how best we can manage new digital, security, and climate challenges. By bringing together our leading experts, listening and learning from each other, we can help ensure that our nations can lead the way in our response on these issues, and seizing the opportunities they also present for both our industries and citizens.
The Minister of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, Richard Bruton TD, will open the conference:
It is only by working together that countries can deliver the changes needed. Common targets, collective action, shared learning and collaborative innovation are needed to tackle what is the biggest challenge of this generation – climate disruption. Ireland has a pathway forward with our Climate Action Plan, which will put us on a trajectory to be net zero emissions by 2050. I am looking forward to hearing from those present here today with a view to considering any successful initiatives in the next iteration of the Plan. Digital innovation is another crucial area where we can share learnings and collaborate.
Notes to editor:
- The conference will feature presentations and panel discussions on the following topics:
- The Digital Revolution – Fostering Innovation, Infrastructure and Investment
- The Right Time to Go Green – Climate Neutrality, Sustainable Energy and Prospects for the Green Economy.
- New Security Challenges – The New Reality: Unconventional Security Challenges, Cyber Security and Asymmetric Threats.
- Speakers from each participating country will feature, including:
- Kirsti Narinen, Director of International Relations at The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE)
- Dr. Edward Burke, Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Nottingham
- Dr. Adrienne Harrington, Chief Executive of The Ludgate Hub
- Barry Lowry, Chief Government Information Officer at Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Kristine van het Erve Grunnet, Managing Director of Renewable Energy,Dansk Energy
- Erik Figenbaum, Chief Research Engineer at the Norwegian Institute of Transport Economics
- Alex White, Chair of the IIEA's Energy Group & Former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Sturla Sigurjónsson, Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
- Matti Anttonen, Permanent State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
The conference is open to the public although registrations are now closed.