Available online: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:norden:org:diva-6209 In 2021 Finland holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, coinciding with the body’s 50th anniversary. The Nordic region is to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. To this end, the Finnish presidency intends to move on ambitiously with the work begun by previous presidencies, and to implement the action plan agreed for 2021–2024. Nordic co-operation reinforces our national efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. The Covid-19 pandemic further emphasises the need for co-operation. Besides freedom of movement, security of supply and preparedness for future crises are particularly topical areas of co-operation. The challenges are global and no-one can tackle them by themselves. The Nordics are stronger #together.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-743/ The Norwegian Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers will strive to make progress on the three priorities: a green, competitive and socially sustainable Nordic Region. We will intensify work on Vision 2030, help to speed up the green transition and ensure the effectiveness of the Council of Ministers. Together, we will build a stronger and greener Nordic Region.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-542/ The Handbook of cross-border data exchange is part of the project ‘World’s smoothest cross-border mobility and daily life through digitalisation’, with a broader objective of streamlining the daily life and mobility of citizens and companies across borders by facilitating the exchange of data between authorities in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The handbook is collects the lessons learned in cross-border data exchange in the fields of studying and using healthservices in another Nordic and Baltic country, and in the use of Nordic and Baltic legal databases. The aim is to provide the reader with insights and ideas for future development by pinpointing identified networks, interesting initiatives, and potential funding mechanisms, as well as highlighting case examples that could be utilised in the development of cross-border collaboration.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-547/ The Finnish presidency project on data exchange "Achieving the World's Smoothest Cross-Border Mobility and Daily Life Through Digitalisation" (2021–2023) has produced this baseline study report. The report outlines the current situation of cross-border data exchange between authorities in the Nordic and Baltic countries, while focusing on the three work packages of the presidency project: Studying in another Nordic-Baltic country, using health services in another Nordic-Baltic country, and the versatile use of the Nordic-Baltic legislative databases. Additionally, the barriers to cross-border data exchange was assessed based on the four interoperability layers of the European Interoperability Framework: legal, organisational, semantic and technical interoperability. The report will form the basis of the continued work of the presidency project.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-731/ The Nordic energy ministers present a new Nordic energy policy co-operation programme for the period 2022–2024. The Nordic Region wants to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030, and that is also the overall vision for co-operation on energy. A green transition of the Nordic societies will not be possible without a substantial green energy transition. As the Nordic energy systems are closely linked, working together on joint initiatives will lead to a green transition that is more cost-effective and socially sustainable than if the countries were each to achieve the goals individually. In 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers for Energy Policy (MR-E) adopted seven focus areas as input into the action plan for Our Vision 2030. These will structure Nordic energy co-operation during the period covered by the programme and be at the heart of all of the work: - The green transition of the energy sector - Closer collaboration on research to aid the green transition - Nordic co-operation in the electricity market - Energy efficiency, technology and behavioural change - Working together on EU/EEA-related energy questions - Social acceptance of new energy plants and the green transition - The green transition of the transport sector.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-709/ The co-operation programme fleshes out the Nordic Council of Ministers’ action plan for Vision 2030 and its 12 goals and describes what Nordic co-operation on working life will seek to achieve by 2024. The Nordic Council of Ministers is committed to labour markets that match the requirements of the green transition and progress toward digitalisation and that support freedom of movement in the Nordic Region. The Nordic models for working life are based to a large extent on gender equality, social security and dialogue between the social partners. However, the Nordic labour markets also face significant changes as a result of, for example, new technology and the digitalisation of workplaces, demographic trends and new forms of employment. The co-operation programme identifies the challenges faced and looks at how best Nordic co-operation can help address them.

The World Today Series: Nordic, Central, and Southeastern Europe is an annually updated presentation of each sovereign country in Nordic, Central and Southeastern Europe, past and present. It is organized by individual chapters for each country and presents a complete and authoritative overview of each region’s geography, people, history, political system, constitution, parliament, parties, political leaders, and elections. The combination of factual accuracy and up-to-date detail along with its informed projections make this an outstanding resource for researchers, practitioners in international development, media professionals, government officials, potential investors and students. Now in its 23rd edition, the content is thorough yet perfect for a one-semester introductory course or general library reference. Available in both print and e-book formats and priced low to fit student and library budgets.