Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and
the United States reaffirm our deep partnership based on shared fundamental
values.
Democracy, the rule of law, gender equality,
respect for human rights, and the protection and equal treatment of all people
without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender
identity unite the Nordic countries and the United States and serve as a
natural basis for our cooperation. Transparency, accountability and good
governance, strong market economies, free trade, shared prosperity, open space
for civil society, and sustainable development are keys to political stability
and social well-being. We reaffirm our commitment to pursue these values and
objectives and to work together to encourage other countries to do the same.
Building on the U.S.-Nordic meeting in 2013 in
Stockholm, today we have pledged to deepen our cooperation on key international
issues related to security and defense; migration and refugees; climate, energy
and the Arctic; and economic growth and global development.
Security and Defense
The Nordic countries and the United States stress the
importance of upholding the European security order and the fundamental
principles of international law. Our countries are committed to strengthening
investments in defense and military capabilities, as well as in diplomacy and
regional cooperation, commensurate with a more challenging security
environment. The Nordic countries greatly value the United States' commitment
to Europe and its security. NATO remains key to transatlantic and European
security, and the contributions of Sweden and Finland, including those they
make as NATO enhanced opportunity partners, are highly valuable. The United
States, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway are committed to building on NATO’s
enhanced opportunity partners’ framework in order to promote a close political
dialogue and military cooperation between Finland and Sweden and NATO Allies
(28+2). Through their overlapping memberships in NATO and the EU, the Nordic
states, and the United States take measures to increase regional security that
are mutually reinforcing and contribute substantially to stability in Europe.
The Nordic countries and the United States strongly support closer cooperation
between NATO and the EU, and consider new areas of practical cooperation
between the two to be a priority for the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July.
We share with the Baltic States an interest in
strengthening the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region. The United
States welcomes Nordic Defense Cooperation and intends to support its
initiatives, including participation in training, exercises, and 2
creative frameworks that deepen regional ties and
promote security. We commit to improving our individual and collective capacity
to withstand hybrid threats and to leverage appropriate political, economic,
and military tools to strengthen national and regional resilience. In
anticipation of the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Denmark and Norway are prepared to
join the United States in contributing to enhanced allied forward presence.
Concrete contributions will be developed in consultations with NATO allies in
preparation for the NATO Summit.
The United States and the Nordic countries share a
firm conviction that there can be no compromises over the international
security order and its fundamental principles. Russia’s illegal occupation and
attempted annexation of Crimea, which we do not accept, its aggression in
Donbas, and its attempts to destabilize Ukraine are inconsistent with
international law and violate the established European security order. The
United States and the Nordic countries reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized
borders. Europe and the United States have reacted firmly to Russia's
violations of international law in Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia for its
actions in eastern Ukraine cannot be lifted until Russia fully implements its
Minsk commitments. Our Crimea-related sanctions are also to remain in force
until Russia returns this territory to Ukrainian control.
We expect the Ukrainian government to redouble efforts
to adopt and implement effective reforms. The United States and the Nordic
countries will continue to assist Ukraine actively in this effort. We strongly
support the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
concerned by Russia’s growing military presence in the Baltic Sea region, its
nuclear posturing, its undeclared exercises, and the provocative actions taken
by Russian aircraft and naval vessels. We call on Russia to ensure that its
military maneuvers and exercises are in full compliance with its international
obligations and commitments to security and stability. Our countries recognize
the need for an appropriate dialogue with Russia to be maintained to enhance
transparency and reduce risk, and to address issues of common concern,
including the counter-ISIL campaign and ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to
the conflict in Syria.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to partnering together to strengthen international security and
address global issues beyond Europe. Global stability requires determined steps
to address the problems faced by fragile states and to address the root causes
of conflict and instability. We together recognize Sweden's leadership on the
International Dialogue for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding and acknowledge that
the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are increasingly concentrated in
fragile states. We reaffirm our shared commitment to work together to promote
resilient, democratic societies and to address the drivers of state fragility.
We share a long-term commitment to stabilization and development in Afghanistan
and are working to bolster the Afghan government and its security 3
forces, maintain international support for
Afghanistan, and encourage the Taliban to join a meaningful and inclusive peace
process with the Afghan government. Denmark will further strengthen its
contribution to NATO's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan to around 100
military personnel and has also decided to sustain its financial support to the
Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with $15 million annually until
2020, setting a strong example for the international community heading into the
NATO Summit in Warsaw. Achieving a negotiated settlement to the war in Syria is
an immediate and pressing issue. The United States and the Nordic countries
have a common aim in stabilizing the situation in Mali and the Sahel region as
well as in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. The long-term stability of the
Middle East requires that key players assume their responsibilities to make
progress on Middle East peace. The situation on the ground shows the urgent
need for a negotiated two-state solution, which remains the only way to achieve
a sustainable, long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Norway, as
chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, will continue its efforts to support a
sustainable Palestinian economy as a critical component of a political
solution.
Terrorism and violent extremism are major challenges
for the international community. The United States and the Nordic countries
intend to work together to counter these threats as well as to address their
root causes. As members of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, our collective
aim is to degrade the capabilities of and to defeat Da’esh. We confirm our
continued engagement in all lines of effort in the Coalition’s fight against
Da’esh in Iraq and Syria and in advancing stabilization, civilian support, and
humanitarian aid in the region.
Denmark will redeploy F16 fighter jets, a C130J
transport aircraft, and make additional troop contributions, including special
operation forces, for operations in Iraq and Syria. Denmark will also support
stabilization efforts in Iraq and Syria with at least $40 million over the next
three years, and has pledged $47 million in 2016 for humanitarian relief in
Syria. Finland is enhancing its contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve in
Iraq by providing up to 100 training staff in the fall of 2016. Finland is
committing $29 million for humanitarian relief in Syria in 2016. From the
beginning of the crisis, Finnish humanitarian assistance has amounted to more
than $120 million. Norway has stepped up its military contribution to the
coalition against ISIL, and will continue to train Iraqi soldiers and will
deploy a contingent of around 60 soldiers that will provide training, advice
and operational support to Syrian local forces fighting ISIL. Norway has
recently pledged $1.2 billion over 4 years in humanitarian aid to Syria and has
pledged $24 million to stabilization efforts, including $3.1 million in 2016
for demining in Iraq. Sweden is contributing military trainers in Iraq, has
provided over $400 million in humanitarian aid to Iraq and Syria since 2011,
and has committed $200 million in development assistance to address the Syrian
crisis over 5 years. The US is leading the global coalition to counter ISIL and
is the largest contributor of stabilization and humanitarian assistance to Iraq
and Syria, most recently announcing an additional $155 million in humanitarian
relief for 4
Iraq and contributing over $600 million for Syria, as
announced at the recent London Conference.
The United States and the Nordic countries will
continue to work together, exchange information, and share experiences on
preventing and countering violent extremism. Nordic and U.S. local officials
and civil society leaders plan to exchange best practices for local CVE
programming. We encourage Nordic and U.S. cities to join the Strong Cities
Network in order to share their experiences and reach out to other cities around
the world. We also encourage youth to join the Youth Civil Activism Network to
find innovative ways to counter violent extremism.
Civilian support and stabilization in post-conflict
countries must address the humanitarian hazards posed by landmines and
unexploded ordnance (UXO). Building on the U.S.-Norwegian Demining Initiative
for Colombia, The United States and Nordic countries commit to establishing a
new U.S.-Nordic partnership to support the removal of such weapons, making
post-conflict communities safer and setting the stage for recovery and
development. The United States and Nordic countries encourage other countries
as well as private sector participants to join this new partnership. Nordic
countries commit to provide more than $13 million toward UXO removal in Syria
and Iraq, with a focus on efforts in Ramadi and other areas liberated from
ISIL.
Cyberspace issues, including cybersecurity, the
application of international law and norms in cyberspace, and Internet
governance pose pressing and continuously evolving challenges. We acknowledge
that cyber threats undermine our collective ability to use the Internet to
bolster economic growth and development around the world. In cyberspace, just
as elsewhere, states have a special responsibility to promote security,
stability, and economic ties with other nations. In support of that objective,
we affirm that no state should conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft
of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business
information, with the intent of providing competitive advantages to companies
or commercial sectors. We also endorse the 2015 report of the UN Group of
Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the
Context of International Security, affirm that existing international law, in
particular the UN Charter, applies to state conduct in cyberspace, and commit
ourselves to the view that all states should abide by voluntary and non-binding
norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace during peacetime.
Major progress has been made in promoting crisis
management – both military and civilian – as highlighted by the Leaders' Summit
on UN peacekeeping in September 2015. The United States and the Nordic
countries intend to continue to engage in making UN peace operations more
effective, efficient and responsive, based on the recommendations of the
High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. Preventive action and
peacebuilding are essential.5
Women's full and meaningful participation in all
aspects of social and political life is key to sustainable peace, security and
development. The Nordic countries and the United States believe that gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are important goals in
their own right, as well as powerful instruments for building human capacity
and promoting social and political stability. The United States and the Nordic
countries will continue empowering women and highlighting the importance of
women’s active participation in conflict prevention and resolution, peace
processes, mediation, peacemaking, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and
post-conflict reconstruction as set forth in UNSCR 1325 and its progeny. Both
the Nordic Women Mediators’ Network and the Nordic Centre for Gender in
Military Operations are valuable contributions. We reaffirm the importance of
making all efforts to prevent gender-based and sexual violence, to support
victims, and to hold perpetrators to account in order to redress the culture of
impunity that often surrounds such acts of violence. The United States and the
Nordic countries encourage partners to join the initiative Call to Action on
Protection from gender-based Violence in Emergencies, for which Sweden recently
took over the chairmanship from the United States. We are committed to
strengthening the UN Peace and Security Agenda.
Arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation are
major areas for cooperation for the United States and Nordic countries. Our
countries are committed to working together in promoting nuclear security,
disarmament and non-proliferation. Building on the achievements of the 2016
Nuclear Security Summit, the United States and the Nordic countries intend to
work together within the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency,
INTERPOL, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Global
Partnership to promote improvements in nuclear security and to counter nuclear
smuggling. We are committed to full implementation of UN Security Council
Resolution 1540 on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
to non-state actors. The United States and Nordic countries intend to continue
to show leadership toward minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium in
civilian applications. The destruction of Syria’s declared chemical weapons was
an important achievement in which cooperation between the United States,
Denmark, Finland, and Norway played a prominent role, and we continue to press
Syria with respect to omissions and discrepancies in its declaration. We share
a common view on the importance of implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action with Iran. Norway contributed to the removal of Iran’s low-enriched
uranium in December 2015.
The Nordic countries and the United States support the
objectives set out in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and commit to
assist a number of developing countries to meet their obligations under
international health regulations, including by developing and assisting with
implementation of a national plan to achieve the targets of the GHSA. In this
regard, the United States will assist at least 31 countries, and Nordic
Countries will collectively assist 10 countries. The United States and Nordic
Countries will also support Joint External Evaluations, developed 6
under the leadership of the United States and Finland,
including by providing technical and/or financial assistance.
The United States and the Nordic countries reaffirm
our support for the UN and for mediation, conflict prevention and
peacebuilding, as well as for the development of peacebuilding and peacekeeping
operations. The U.S.–Nordic Security Dialogue continues to be an important
forum for deliberations on these issues.
Migration and Refugees
Today the number of irregular migrants, refugees, and
internally displaced people is on a scale unprecedented since World War II.
This is a global challenge requiring a comprehensive and systematic response.
The United States and the Nordic countries commit to work together to meet
urgent humanitarian needs and promote solutions that deal with the root causes
of irregular migration, address associated challenges such as human smuggling
and trafficking, and seek global solutions that promote respect for the right
to seek and attain asylum, taking into account regional responsibility-sharing
arrangements.
Legal pathways to immigration and orderly refugee
resettlement are a superior alternative to irregular migratory movements, and
also reduce risks of discrimination and abuse to members of more vulnerable
groups such as older persons, persons with disabilities, women, and children.
Nordic countries and the United States are world
leaders in humanitarian response and have historically taken in a large share
of refugees. We intend to maintain our humanitarian record and to advance
measures to make the international humanitarian response more effective,
efficient and fully able to respond to today’s challenges. Further, the United
States is committed to working alongside Europe in dealing with the global
refugee and migration crisis and by addressing its root causes. Support to the
regions hardest affected by the refugee crisis is one of the most effective
components of a sustainable solution.
There is a clear link between forced displacements and
the lack of good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights. We
emphasize the responsibility of states to protect their populations from
genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes.
There is a fundamental need to strengthen humanitarian
response, to fashion a long-term approach to managing migration and recurring
and protracted crises and to identify global solutions based on responsibility
sharing and respect for international human rights. The World Humanitarian
Summit in May, the UN High-Level Meeting on Addressing Large Scale Movements of
Refugees and Migrants, and the U.S.-led Leaders' Summit on Refugees in
September are excellent opportunities for addressing humanitarian challenges
and irregular migration, and advancing concrete and comprehensive solutions for
vulnerable refugee populations. 7
Climate Change, Energy and the Arctic
The leaders recognize that climate change is one of
the foremost challenges the world is facing. No effort should be spared in
making concrete progress domestically and abroad over the coming decades by
shifting to low carbon economies and creating more resilient communities. The
United States and the Nordic countries acknowledge the foundational role energy
plays in our economies and that energy security is key for overall security.
Building on a history of collaboration, the United
States and the Nordic countries commit to strengthening European energy
security and to join and implement the Paris Agreement, accelerate the
transition to a clean energy future, strengthen adaptation efforts, especially
in developing countries, protect and restore forests, and continue to take
science-based steps to protect the Arctic and its peoples.
Energy Security
The United States and the Nordic countries agree that
a well-functioning, integrated and efficient European energy market is
important to producing economic prosperity and energy security. Diversified
supply sources and routes are a prerequisite for an efficient energy market and
the security of Europe’s energy supply. We support the EU goal of increased
diversification of supply sources and routes, increased indigenous and
sustainable production, greater levels of interconnection, and enhanced energy
efficiency. We also support the efforts of EU countries to further improve the
functioning of the market, including by establishing more infrastructure to
enhance the efficiency of the market and by developing a more effective
regulatory framework to promote energy security and support diversification of
fuel types, sources, and routes for energy imports. These steps are
preconditions for energy security, affordable energy and an effective climate
policy in Europe.
Implementing the Paris Agreement
The leaders commit to join the Paris Agreement as soon
as possible. Norway, Iceland, and the United States have committed to join the
Paris Agreement this year, building on more than 30 countries that have already
joined or have committed to taking necessary domestic steps with a view to
joining this year. As countries implement their respective Nationally
Determined Contributions, they should strive to formulate and communicate
long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies pursuant to the
Paris Agreement.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to working with developing country partners to assist in
strengthening their adaptation and mitigation efforts. We intend to make every
effort to enhance the effectiveness of adaptation assistance by coordinating
support for adaptation planning and action in appropriate fora, including the
National Adaptation Plans Global Network. The United States and the Nordic
countries recognize the potential for the effects of climate change to
exacerbate 8
conflict and fragility in vulnerable countries and
share the view that foreign policy instruments must contribute to addressing
this challenge effectively. We commit to prioritizing the prevention of
compound risks stemming from climate fragility and to better integrating
consideration of those risks into foreign, defense, and development policies,
planning, and assistance programs.
The United States and the Nordic countries commit to
provide leadership on climate finance. Following the Paris Agreement, it is
critical to scale up support to developing countries to implement their
respective Nationally Determined Contributions, including by using public
resources to mobilize robust increases in private capital.
The United States and the Nordic countries will also
work together to inform robust accounting for the use of international carbon
markets, including a new offset program under the UNFCCC, to ensure the
environmental integrity and to avoid the double counting of market-based
mitigation actions.
Cooperation on Clean Energy
The world is facing a dual challenge: we need to meet
the increased energy demand following a growing population and economic growth
and at the same time, we need to reduce the emissions. A comprehensive change
in the global energy system is required in order to reduce emissions. The
United States and the Nordic countries will be at the forefront of efforts to
develop cleaner energy systems, renewable energy, including renewable fuels,
increased energy efficiency and technologies for cleaner energy production.
The leaders also intend to cooperate and use their
influence in multilateral development banks and international financial
institutions to decrease their carbon footprint by promoting an increase in
their investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will also
advocate for public-private partnerships and the mobilization of private
capital to finance climate investments and the transition to clean energy,
including clean energy systems and other instruments mentioned in the Nordic
declaration on innovative climate finance.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to promoting the aims of the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission
Innovation and to implement ambitious energy transitions to accelerate the
deployment of clean energy sources. In particular, we intend to provide
resources, and political support to establish a multilateral secretariat,
including a financial contribution of $1.3 million from Denmark, Sweden,
Norway, and Finland, and $1 million from the United States, along with
continued, extensive support for Clean Energy Ministerial initiatives and
campaigns.
Given the growing importance of offshore wind to their
clean energy future, the United States and several Nordic countries commit to
collaborate to increase the deployment of offshore wind in the United States
and Europe. To formalize their 9
collaboration, the Government of Denmark and the U.S.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management are announcing a new memorandum of
understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation on offshore wind energy. The MOU
highlights important priorities for cooperation and information sharing between
the countries related to best practices for managing offshore wind, effective
regulatory approaches, protection of the environment, and strategies to
encourage expansion of offshore wind energy development. The MOU builds on
ongoing U.S. engagement with Denmark on offshore wind.
Enhancing Climate Action through International Fora
The United States and the Nordic countries intend to
support enhanced climate action by working together to achieve ambitious
outcomes within international fora such as the Montreal Protocol and
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In particular, the United
States and Nordic countries affirm their commitment to adopt a Montreal
Protocol HFC phasedown amendment in 2016, and intend to provide additional
support through the Protocol’s Multilateral Fund following adoption of an
amendment for its implementation. The United States and Nordic countries plan
to continue to support a range of activities that promote alternatives to
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with high global warming potential and to promote
greener technologies in all countries.
The leaders also express their strong commitment to
work together and through the ICAO to reduce international aviation’s climate
impact by fostering technological and operational advancements, development and
deployment of sustainable alternative jet fuels, and adopting a strong global
market-based measure (GMBM) to enable carbon neutral growth from 2020. They
encourage world leaders to join them in supporting adoption at ICAO’s fall 2016
Assembly of a GMBM that reflects environmental integrity and avoids market
distortion.
The United States and Iceland reaffirm their support
for the Global Geothermal Alliance launched during COP21 in Paris - a concerted
effort by governments, international agencies and the private sector to promote
wider penetration of geothermal in the global energy mix.
Combatting Methane Emissions
The leaders reconfirm our commitment to combat methane
emissions as part of our commitment to implement the Paris Agreement, and in
line with other international commitments and national priorities, by ensuring
each country has developed a national methane reduction plan or otherwise
identified and implemented enhanced actions to significantly reduce our overall
methane emissions, and by expanding technical cooperation, where appropriate
.
. We are determined to continue to drive down our oil
and gas methane emissions, where applicable, through sound regulation, climate
targets, and voluntary initiatives. In particular, we strongly 10
encourage companies working within our countries
to develop company-wide methane reduction goals, and to join the Climate and
Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Oil & Gas Methane Partnership. The Nordic
countries welcome the announcement of new U.S.-Canadian methane reduction goals
from the oil and gas sector, and pledge to keep their respective methane
emissions from this sector at or below current levels. The Nordic countries
will also encourage other countries to join in this effort and would support
the development of a global methane emission goal for this sector. We encourage
other countries to do the same, and intend to communicate on our progress
through international fora, such as the CCAC, Global Methane Initiative and the
Arctic Council.
Collaboration on the Important Role of Forests
The Paris Agreement reflected the importance of
forests and other lands in addressing global climate change. The United States
and the Nordic countries are determined to cooperate to support and incentivize
developing country forest partners to conserve, restore and sustainably manage
forests, as well as strengthen their respective efforts to combat illegal
logging and associated trade, thereby contributing to the implementation of
Nationally Determined Contributions by both reducing forest emissions and
enhancing sequestration. The United States and the Nordic countries will also
collaborate to facilitate private sector efforts to eliminate deforestation
from the production of commodities such as palm oil, pulp and paper, cattle and
soy. Today, the US and Norway are announcing that they will sign a joint
statement to reinforce their intention to enhance cooperation on Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and sustainable
landscapes. As a signal of their commitment, this week the United States
announced the first results and a detailed action plan to reduce emissions and
increase carbon storage in soils and forests through the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry.
Through this initiative, USDA committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
increase carbon stored in forests and soils by over 120 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2025.
Promoting Energy for All
The Nordic countries and the United States commit to
further strengthen efforts to achieve global access to sustainable, reliable,
affordable and secure modern energy for all, consistent with the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development. This work will be pursued through a range of
initiatives, including development support to mechanisms which seek to unlock
investments in sustainable energy, such as through Power Africa as well as the
Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). We also commit to work to further
strengthen the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative through support
to the ongoing process of developing a new strategy for SE4All and its
implementation. In addition, the United States and the Nordic countries intend
to promote access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern 11
energy for all by encouraging the reduction of fossil
fuel subsidies, promoting renewable energies and fuels, and enhancing energy
efficiency.
In sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than two-thirds of
the population is without access to power. To support a doubling of electricity
access in sub-Saharan Africa the United States and Nordic countries have
expressed our support for the Power Africa initiative and commit to work
together to provide technical assistance, financing, and other support to
enable additional investment in energy projects throughout the region. Since
the launch of the Power Africa initiative in 2013, the Government of Sweden has
commited to catalyze investments of one billion dollars to Power Africa. The
commitment represents grants for distribution and transmission projects, and
guarantees and loans for renewable Power Africa projects. In December 2015,
Power Africa announced a new partnership with Norway, which aligns the
collective investments of the United States and Norwegian governments in
renewable energy and expands off-grid and mini-grid efforts. Through this
partnership, Norway is committing to bringing 1,500 MW online over a five-year
period, contributing to Power Africa's overall 30,000 MW electricity generation
goal.
The Arctic
The United States, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden affirm our commitment to safeguarding the Arctic
environment while providing enhanced opportunities for sustainable development
for all inhabitants of the Arctic, including indigenous peoples.
The Arctic is rapidly changing and attracting global
attention. It is a globally unique region that provides livelihoods for its
inhabitants, but is also one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change.
Rich with opportunities for transport, tourism, energy, and innovation, the
Arctic is characterized by close cooperation on a broad range of issues between
the United States and the Nordic Countries, together with our Arctic partners
Canada and Russia. Continuing to keep the Arctic region a zone of peace and
stability is at the heart of our efforts. We reaffirm the importance of
maintaining the Arctic region based on universally recognized principles of
international law including those reflected in the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea.
The Arctic Council celebrates its 20th anniversary
this year, reaffirming its commitment to cooperation and coordination on
matters of common interest among the Arctic States and indigenous peoples of
the region. As the preeminent high-level forum among the Arctic States, the
Arctic Council has proven instrumental in addressing new challenges and
opportunities, while retaining a core focus on environmental protection and
sustainable development.
The United States and Nordic countries will continue
to work actively in the Arctic Council to ensure progress on shared priorities.
The work of the current U.S. 12
chairmanship and subsequent Finnish and Icelandic
chairmanships will be closely coordinated to ensure effective progress on these
priorities.
We will strengthen our work, both within the Arctic
and globally, to address the environmental challenges facing the region. We
remain committed to managing the region with an ecosystem-based approach, which
balances conservation and sustainable use of the environment. We are committed
to the pursuit of international and national climate change goals. We will work
towards the highest global standards, best international practice, and a
precautionary approach, when considering new and existing commercial activities
in the Arctic, including oil and gas operations.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to recognizing the rights of the indigenous and local peoples and we
reaffirm our commitment to the unique role played by Arctic indigenous and
local communities and their traditional and local knowledge.
We will advance scientifically based protection and
conservation of areas of ecologically important marine, terrestrial and
freshwater habitats, taking into account ecological resilience in a changing
climate and national and global climate and environmental goals. We are
dedicated to promote the active involvement of the people of the Arctic in the
management and sustainable use of protected areas.
We are committed to deepen the knowledge and
understanding of the Arctic, both inside and outside the region, to strengthen
Arctic research and transdisciplinary science, and to encourage cooperation
between higher education institutions and society as well as synergies between
science and traditional and local knowledge. The Nordic countries welcome the
White House Arctic Science Ministerial.
Jobs, Growth and Trade
Economic freedom, open markets, and free trade are
fundamental to maintaining prosperity and promoting welfare for our citizens.
The Transatlantic economy is strong, and will remain at the core of the global
economy. Together, the United States and the Nordic countries will continue to
be a strong voice for open and sustainable trade and investments, and in
particular commerce that embraces women's economic empowerment, innovation, and
new technology. The Nordic region is among the largest foreign investors in the
United States.
Digitization and sustainable production have the
potential to contribute to more competitive economies and to strengthen our
industrial sectors. The United States and the Nordic countries will continue to
show leadership in R&D, innovation, digitization, the provision of
platforms for new technology, and the launch of start-ups, all of which create
jobs, enhance competitiveness and pave the way for improving our businesses and
societies. Innovation is also central to targeting key challenges, including
climate change, health, gender inequality, and urbanization. Ultimately, 13
innovation is about finding ways to achieve
sustainable growth and sustainable societies. The United States and the Nordic
countries will together promote innovation, including through the Nordic
Innovation House in Silicon Valley.
We share the view that the multilateral trade system
is crucial for the global economy and our intent is to work to bring the
benefits of free trade and open economies to all. The United States and the
European Union are working to complete negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade
and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) in 2016. We also look forward to exploring
ways to bolster trade and investment among the United States, Norway, and
Iceland. Deepening transatlantic ties through trade and investment is in our
economic as well as our strategic interests. The conclusion of an ambitious and
comprehensive agreement would lower barriers, create opportunities for small
businesses, and boost economic growth and job creation through exports in the
United States and Europe. It would also benefit the global economy and further
increase economic integration.
The United States and the Nordic countries have
committed to promote productive employment and decent work as key elements to
spreading the benefits of globalization and reducing poverty. We are resolved,
in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to reduce inequality
within and among countries. Rising inequalities have a negative impact on
current and potential growth. We also recognize that promoting gender equality
and increasing women’s labor market participation rates are important elements
of sustainable growth.
The Nordic countries and the United States have always
enjoyed intensive people-to-people contacts and exchanges. We share a joint
desire to boost these contacts further and to enhance collaboration in
innovation, higher education and research.
Global Development and Humanitarian Assistance
2015 marked a pivotal year for global development.
World leaders from more than 190 countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, which sets out a global development vision and priorities for the
next 15 years, and adopted the Paris Agreement, the most ambitious climate
change agreement in history. Sustainable global development is fundamental for
peace and prosperity, and is inseparable from democracy, human rights and good
governance.
We are fully committed to support the global effort to
achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). The United
States and the Nordic Countries reaffirm the universality of the 2030 Agenda,
and commit to implementing it, including the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, both domestically and
internationally. The United States and the Nordic Countries also commit to
continue to work together, and individually, to support the efforts of
developing countries to reach the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
including by enhancing developing countries’ ability to mobilize and 14
effectively use their domestic resources and to attract
private sector investment for sustainable development.
To protect development gains and respond to urgent
humanitarian needs, the Nordic countries and the United States intend to
maintain a high-level of humanitarian assistance, including in response to
drought, floods and other climatic shocks exacerbated or induced by the El Nino
and the La Nina phenomena, with special emphasis on the needs of women and
girls and vulnerable groups within any affected population.
Gender equality is a central human right and a
development issue. The United States and the Nordic Countries have a
longstanding commitment to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women
and girls, particularly adolescent girls around the world who are held back
from reaching their full potential. We will support efforts to ensure that
adolescent girls are provided opportunities to continue their education. We
will continue to promote the empowerment of women and girls by enhancing
representation and opportunity especially through global education and health,
as well as advancing and protecting their health and their sexual and
reproductive rights. Additionally, reducing the barriers to education - such as
lack of access, early pregnancy, the contraction of HIV/AIDS and other
diseases, as well as harmful practices such as early and forced marriage and
female genital mutilation/cutting – is critical to advancing the shared foreign
policy, security and development priorities of the United States and Nordic
countries.
Universal human rights belong to all individuals
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The United States and the
Nordic countries will work together in multilateral fora and at the national
level to promote the protection of LGBTI people, ensuring that they can enjoy
the same rights as everyone else.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to high levels of development cooperation, and intend to work to
catalyze further private investments for sustainable development.
The United States and the Nordic countries are
committed to leading by example to fight corruption and promote transparency
and accountability. We will support countries in efforts to combat illicit
financial flows and help build capacity for civil society to aid in the fight
against corruption. Tax evasion and corruption undermine development and drain
public resources, and are fundamental development issues. As an important part
of financing for development, the United States and Nordic countries will work
together to support the Addis Tax Initiative and we will support developing
countries in their efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization,
including through enhanced taxation and new efforts to combat tax evasion.
The relationship between the United States and the
Nordic countries runs deep. Our nations share a history of extensive societal
ties that firmly bind us together. Through 15
these strong personal and institutional bonds we will
continue to promote our common commitment to freedom, democracy, universal
human rights, and peace.
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