ND Policy

The Northern Dimension (ND) is an instrument of cooperation between four equal partners, the European Union, Russia, Norway and Iceland. Geographically, the ND covers North-West Russia, the Baltic Sea and the Arctic regions, including the Barents region. The USA and Canada hold observer status in the ND.

The Northern Dimension policy aims to support stability, welfare and sustainable development in the region by means of practical cooperation. The ND is an instrument through which the European Union, Russia, Norway and Iceland cooperate in selected fields, such as the environment and nuclear safety or social welfare and health care issues. The ND also addresses questions that specifically concern the northern areas, such as the vulnerable Arctic environment and matters related to indigenous peoples.

The cooperation takes place through partnerships. The most concrete outcomes of the cooperation are the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) and the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS). In addition, the Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics (NDPTL) and the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC) have recently been established. Two new initiatives have also been developed, the Northern Dimension Institute (NDI), comprising a network of universities specialising in matters related to the Northern Dimension, and the Northern Dimension Business Council (NDBC) to create a platform for dialogue between companies and the public authorities.