Ávarp utanríkisráðherra á málþingi um grænar orkulausnir í Helsinki

Utanríkisráðherra sótti málþing um grænar orkulausnir í Helsinki 29. mars 2022. Málþingið var í boði Business Finland með þátttöku Íslandsstofu, Green by Iceland og íslenskra og finnskra fyrirtækja í grænni orkuframleiðslu og loftslagslausnum.

Minister, Ambassadors, dear guests

It is my great pleasure to be with you here in Helsinki, to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Iceland.

As Nordic partners and friends with similar values, emphasis on equality in all respects and with our governments shifting focus to the well-being economy, there is every reason to be optimistic about our future relations.

I believe we have much to learn from Finland in many respects; not least when it comes to education and innovation. I have enjoyed my trip here so far and am very excited about the rest of my program.

Of course, within the Nordic family, I feel there is somehow always a special affinity between Finland and Iceland. We may not be the most related in terms of language and genealogy, but often when we sit together with our dear friends from the other Nordics, there are some things that only the Icelanders and Finns understand. Very often, this is in the form of extremely funny jokes, that no one else understands, and you are not supposed to laugh at out loud, but only respond with a barely noticeable smile. Only the Icelanders and Finns know how to perform this properly.

And, of course, while we sometimes don’t seem like to advertise it, both Finland and Iceland are homes to some of the happiest people on the planet. As a matter of fact, the World Happiness Report has recently concluded that the people of Finland are the happiest in the world. That is truly a testament to a society that is doing many things right and should be held up as an example to learn from.

Data shows that significant contributors to happiness are good social connections and personal autonomy, factors that we emphasize in both our countries.

For most of us, it is vital to have both. A group, team or society that we are a part of, where we have our role, where we can contribute, where we are needed. And – we need to be individuals - where we are free to choose our own path, find our own happiness, to be on our own, where we are not needed and don’t need others.

Of course, another key factor in determining happiness is a sense of purpose. It is a truth know since the days of the first philosophers that constant pleasure is not the path to true happiness.

Happiness – it seems – when it comes down to it – is a quite serious matter.

Of course, in the past few years we have witnessed a profound change in the world. First the pandemic and now the sudden and alarming disruption of the peace in Europe, the peace we had almost taken for granted, has shown us that unfortunately we are entering a time were politics, policy and diplomacy has assumed a new shape that requires renewed seriousness, prudence and steadiness of hand.

In times like the ones we are now entering it is certainly important to do what one can do in order to be prepared. But it is vital to know who your friends are and to join hands with them to face the challenges of tomorrow. In that respect Iceland counts Finland as an invaluable friend and ally.

The war in Ukraine has shifted our focus to security in all aspects, cyber, food and energy. In all of these challenges we must work together and utilize the strengths of our societies and the individuals who comprise our societies. This includes the same factors that contribute to our happiness. We must employ our common sense of purpose, the strong bonds of trust in our societies and the ingenuity and initiative of individuals.

The challenges of the future, be they immediate and in the form of an adversary, or long-term, in the form of societal challenges, will only be met successfully with the only endlessly renewable resource known to man: the power of imagination, science and creativity.

But of course, if that power is to be harnessed to the benefit of society, certain conditions must be met. The most important of which is the rule of law, rather than the rule of the strong, the rule of the rich or the rule of the well connected. Innovation and entrepreneurship can only flourish if people get rewarded for doing actual good work and having good ideas – not for having privileged access to the powerful.

The war of ideas that is at the foundation of Putin’s disdain for the West is based on a fear of change, a fear of opportunity. The glorification of fear over hope, violence over wisdom, and coercion over freedom – are the hallmarks of the world vision offered by those who support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Make no mistake about it. The ideological battle that is manifested in Putin’s aggression against Ukraine is not only political. It is a battle that has profound implications for every aspect of society, not least the business sector. Any price that we pay to oppose the advancement of Putin’s vision of the world is miniscule in comparison to the cost of allowing it to take further foothold in the world.

A world where security and the rule of law are not guaranteed is a world where economic prosperity and societal cohesion are impossible.

We can be thankful to belong to the part of the world where there is general consensus about protecting those values, and we reap the benefits every day.

Finland has become a European hub of innovation and technological development. Iceland looks to Finland for inspiration in this regard.

Recently close to 40 Icelandic start-ups participated at Slush in Helsinki where they gained access to a wide network of mentors, investors, and collaborative ventures. I look forward to seeing some fruits of that collaboration later today at the Finnish-Icelandic company Mainframe, a collaborative “sandbox” that announced a 20 million Euro series-B funding round at Slush.

The Icelandic Skyr has gained a market in Finland and just this month the largest Icelandic investment hitherto in Finland was announced when the Icelandic company Héðinn invested in a fish meal factory in Kaskinen in Österbotten. Tourism is increasing and there is still ample space for more volume in the trade between us, especially when direct flights can be resumed, post-pandemic.

Finnish design is very prominent in Iceland. Alvar Alto’s beautiful Nordic house is a prominent landmark in Reykjavík and Iittala products, Fiskars scissors and Moomin mugs and books are prized pieces in many households. But we should keep in mind what Moomin-mamma said. “We take everything too much for granted, including each other.”

Dear guests,

I am particularly interested in using this visit to learn how Iceland and Finland can work together on other new transformative technology and inventions with high societal- and economic impact.

In my former role as Minister for Industry and Innovation I emphasized the importance of innovation and improving the start-up environment in Iceland. Innovation is key, -both to economic growth and to tackling the pressing challenges of our time, like climate change. In todays world, it can be said of almost any innovative venture that it needs to be globally centered from th start. For a very small market like Iceland, this is even more true.

Our Nordic friends and partners are a natural extended home market for our innovative and entrepreneurial sector. The groundwork has been laid by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ 2019 declaration that the Nordic Region would become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. Three strategic areas are given priority: a green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region, and a socially sustainable Nordic Region.

To reach these ambitious targets we must engage governments, civil society, industries, and the private sector.

Many interesting and promising ideas are also found in the report by Idar Kreutzer (Krautser) report published by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2018, “An integrated and effective Nordic ecosystem for innovation and green growth.”

Of course, for real change to take place, we must also adapt our mindset. For years we have taken resources from the earth, turned them into things for use and thrown away what is left. Consumption-overflow piles up in landfills, as plastics in the oceans and fuels the climate emergency.

Shifting to a circular economy requires major changes to business, supply chains, and consumer behavior. This level of disruption with a shift to circular solutions must contribute to a just and inclusive future.

Finland has been a leader in the circular economy, setting the world’s first national road map to a circular economy already in 2016. So, we come here to learn from you, and to share some of the innovative solutions that have been developed in Iceland and Finland can benefit from.

I am particularly interested in matching your knowledge in the circular economy with Iceland’s unique position in the global energy market as 80% of our energy comes from renewable sources. Iceland’s strong infrastructure, regulatory environment, and participation in the internal market through the EEA Agreement provide a solid foundation for co-operation.

Utilization of energy resources is the foundation for our quality of life. The big task ahead is replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources and adapting all systems to new paradigms. And no industry will be exempt. How nations tackle the challenge of the energy transition and the adaptation to sustainability, will very much dictate their future competitiveness.

Eco-industrial Parks are being developed in Iceland. Their ethos is based on the circular economy. To provide opportunities for manufacturing companies to improve utilization and put waste and by-products from their production to use. They have clear long-term vision in business and environmental issues, strong collaboration between different invested parties. Our Eco-industrial parks may be seen as Iceland’s contribution to embracing the future.

In addition to Business Iceland and the companies we have with us representatives from Green by Iceland. Green by Iceland’s role is to fight climate change locally and globally while promoting the export of green solutions, re-enforcing Iceland‘s reputation as a leader in sustainability. It facilitates cooperation between the business sector and the government to meet our goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.

Dear guests

To transition to a green economy, profitable solutions are required. Iceland’s abundant green energy resources are not without challenges but as those challenges have been tackled, some innovative solutions have come to light.

Our actions over the next decade will determine the course of humanity for generations to come. It is a time for serious people with serious ideas. But as we have said before, serious does not have to be boring, it does not need to be uncreative and it does definititely not need to be unhappy.

On behalf of the Government of Iceland and Business Iceland, I would like to thank the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Business Finland for being excellent hosts and cooperation partners, sharing their knowledge and experiences. That is how we must proceed in our interconnected world, -by collaborating.

Thank you and I wish you all a fruitful, inspiring and happy visit.