Nordic ministers for digitalisation move digital integration forward in the Nordic and Baltic countries
The annual meeting of Nordic and Baltic ministers for Digitalisation adopted a declaration promoting the adoption of European Digital Identity Wallets. The long-term ambition is to create an open and interoperable Nordic region.
The meeting of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Digitalisation was held in Tampere on 6 November as part of Finland's and Åland's co-presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The ministers adopted a declaration to support the adoption of European Digital Identity Wallets in the region. The goal is to create a shared certification system that will make it easier to adopt secure and cost-effective solutions for European Digital Identity Wallets.
"The adoption of this declaration marks a step forward in realizing our vision of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. Collaboration is key to achieving this goal. In particular, close cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential to ensure that our digital identity wallets are as functional and user-friendly as possible — for citizens, businesses, and public authorities alike. Having multiple wallet solutions available in the region will boost innovation and improve our countries’ resilience. Our citizens place high value on Nordic-Baltic cooperation. We must do our best to meet these expectations by delivering our citizens high-quality public services and ensuring freedom of movement across our countries.” says Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen.
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. It combines secure digital services with the management and use of personal data across Europe. The European Digital Identity Wallet should become available to EU citizens by the end of 2026. However, all EU member states are responsible for their own wallet application.
Towards a digitally integrated Nordic region
The meeting also discussed the development of cross-border services and the removal of cross-border barriers with the aim of expanding current projects to cover all of the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Nordic Baltic electronic identity (NOBID) project, supported by MR-DIGITAL, is a great example of cooperation between all the member countries. It has developed a pilot solution for cross-border identity matching, which has been tested between Norway, Sweden and Denmark earlier this year.
“The NOBID-project has proven to a be a vital platform for activities regarding digital integration in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Cross-border identity matching can be a real game-changer for people living here, making it easier to travel, do business, and enjoy everyday life with less hustle. In addition, countries in our region have formally exchanged population data in certain areas since the 1940s. Building on the long tradition of cooperation in this area, and building on the existing framework, we welcome the discussions on how to continue our cooperation in the digital age”, said Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The electronic and automated exchange of population data is seen as a way to improve public services and make it easier for people to travel and manage their affairs in the area. This will also support the development of digital services across EU borders.
At the meeting, the ministers also shared their countries’ best practices. For example, Finland’s and Estonia’s long-standing exchange of population data and Finland’s and Sweden's new project to promote the exchange of data. There is potential for experiences from both projects to be applied more extensively in the region.
The ultimate goal is to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
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