CMI co-organises a seminar on Nordic peace mediation at the Parliament of Finland in Helsinki on 26 October. Held in conjunction with the 78th Session of the Nordic Council, ‘Nordic peace mediation in a changing world order’ will examine opportunities for closer Nordic cooperation in peace mediation amid a changing geopolitical environment.
Organised by the Finnish delegation to the Nordic Council and CMI, the side-event brings together Nordic Council parliamentarians, political leaders and peace mediation experts to discuss how the Nordic countries can strengthen their collective contribution to international peace and stability.
The seminar can be watched live from 13.00–13.50 with a recording available on the website of the Nordic Council. Panellists are expected to speak in their own Nordic language.
Monday’s discussion takes place against a backdrop of intensified power politics, growing strategic competition and increasing pressure on the rules-based international order. These developments have changed the international environment for peace mediation and challenged the capacity of traditional multilateral institutions to address conflicts.
At the same time, the Nordic countries have deepened their cooperation in foreign, security and defence policy, as well as in multilateral diplomacy. The seminar will explore how this closer cooperation, combined with the Nordic countries’ extensive experience in peace mediation, could strengthen their collective role in international peacemaking.
Participants will consider what added value a joint Nordic approach could bring to peace mediation in the current geopolitical situation, including whether the Nordic countries could act together as a more influential international actor, comparable to other middle powers active in peace mediation.
The discussion will also examine what political leadership and practical choices would be needed to advance closer cooperation. Particular attention will be given to the role Nordic parliamentarians could have in strengthening their respective countries’ foreign policy influence through peace mediation.
The seminar will open with remarks by Ville Väyrynen, Member of the Parliament of Finland and President of the Nordic Council, followed by a video message from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A panel discussion will feature Per Olsson Fridh, Director-General of the Folke Bernadotte Academy, Sweden’s government agency for peace, security, and development; Hilde F. Johnson, Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace; Trine Pertou Mach, Member of the Danish Parliament and member of the Danish delegation to the Nordic Council; and Susann Simolin, Director of the Åland Islands Peace Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Hanna Klinge, Acting CEO of CMI.
Since 1 January 2026, Finland has held the presidency of the Nordic Council. The presidency programme, jointly developed by the Finnish and Ålandic delegations, has ‘Nordic Comprehensive Security’ as its overarching theme.
The 78th Session of the Nordic Council runs from 26 to 29 October 2026 at Parliament House in Helsinki. As the largest political summit in the Nordics, it brings together members of the Nordic Council, Nordic Prime Ministers, heads of government, and government ministers.
