Nordic and Baltic ministers for digitalisation meet in Tampere

The meeting of Nordic and Baltic ministers for digitalisation plans to adopt a declaration promoting European Digital Identity Wallets. The meeting is being held in Tampere on 6 November.

Finland and Åland hold the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers this year. The meeting in Tampere is the annual meeting of Council's ministers for digitalisation. One of the ministers will be participating remotely. 

The ministers plan to adopt a declaration aimed at creating a shared certification system for European Digital Identity Wallets to be made available in the Nordic and Baltic region. This will make it easier to adopt secure and cost-effective solutions. A European Digital Identity Wallet is an application for a mobile phone. The application works similarly to ordinary wallets in that it contains various types of information. 

The ministers will also discuss expanding cooperation between their countries and their countries’ shared vision to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. Key objectives of the vision are to ensure that data travels smoothly between Nordic countries and, ultimately, to achieve an open Nordic region. 

“Expanding, digitalising and automating the exchange of population data are effective ways of removing barriers to free movement and improving Nordic public services. Joint work on certifications will also make the adoption of digital identity wallets smoother and is a concrete example of Nordic cooperation,” said Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen.  

Many issues have moved forward during Finland’s and Åland’s presidency

The themes of Finland’s and Åland’s presidency are comprehensive security, the wellbeing of children and young people, and digital equality. In the summer, the ministers for health and social affairs and the Nordic and Baltic ministers for digitalisation issued a joint declaration on artificial intelligence and the rights of persons with disabilities.

New Nordics AI, a Nordic-Baltic AI centre, began operating during Finland’s and Åland’s presidency. The centre will boost regional cooperation and accelerate AI adoption and development. The Nordic Council of Ministers is funding the start-up phase of New Nordics AI. New Nordics AI is a collaboration between five national AI organisations: AI Sweden, AI Finland, Digital Dogme (Denmark), TEK Norge (Norway), and Almannarómur (Iceland).  

Inquiries:
Markus Rahkola, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 530 139, markus.rahkola(at)gov.fi
Minna Kurki, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 530 383, minna.kurki(at)gov.fi