News

GRÓ Annual Report 2024 published

The 2024 Annual Report for GRÓ – Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change has been published.

Minister for Foreign Affairs takes part in a high-level conference on the two-state solution

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterated Iceland’s firm belief in the equal rights of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination, as well as the conviction that recognizing an independent Palestinian state is the only way forward to build lasting peace and stability in the region, in her address at the United Nations high-level conference on the two-state…

EU Court Rules in Trademark Dispute Over ‘Iceland’

The General Court of the European Union has confirmed the decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to invalidate Iceland Foods Ltd. exclusive right to the word mark and figurative mark ICELAND.…

Joint statement on behalf of 31 partners on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Joint statement on recent developments in Georgia

Minister visits USS Newport News in Grundartangi Harbour

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited the US submarine USS Newport News in Grundartangi harbour yesterday. The submarine is in Iceland for a regular service visit. This is the not the first time a nuclear-powered US submarine enters Icelandic territorial waters; however, this is the first service visit of such a vessel to an Icelandic port.…

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on malicious behaviour in cyberspace against Czechia

Israel/Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Nordic foreign ministers at the Nato Summit call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire

Demining Capability Coalition Meets in Reykjavík

Representatives of the countries that make up the Demining Capability Coalition met in Reykjavík last week.

Iceland and France strengthen bilateral defence cooperation

The Icelandic and French authorities have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral defence cooperation. A Letter of Intent to this effect was signed at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland earlier this week.

Arctic Security Policy Roundtable held in Iceland

The Arctic Security Policy Roundtable (ASPR) took place in Iceland from 21-22 May. Senior officials from the Ministries of Defence of the United States, Canada, and the Nordic nations, including representatives from the Faroe Islands and Greenland, attended the event.

SACEUR visits Iceland

Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the U.S. European Command, met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and had meetings on defence issues with ministry officials during a brief visit to Iceland.

Joint statement on the Israeli plan to expand its military operations in Gaza

Popular course on security and defence issues concludes

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, concluded its fourth biannual course on security and defence issues last week.

UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran

Iceland’s first session as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2025-2027 concluded on 5 April.

Minister for Foreign Affairs introduces Iceland's fourth National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

Iceland’s fourth National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security has been published. The NAP sets out the government’s policy for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and the broader Women, Peace and Security Agenda until 2030.

Iceland’s National Action Plan on women, peace and security 2025–2030

With United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), adopted in 2000, the Council recognised for the first time the gendered impact of conflict and the crucial role of women in peace and security efforts.…

Joint statement by the ministers for foreign affairs of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Minister announces defence policy formulation and actions

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, presented a proposal to the government yesterday for the formulation of a policy for Iceland's security and defence. The new coalition government's platform from 21 December 2024 states that a security and defence policy will be formulated.…

Aurora Forum - UK and Nordic-Baltic Eight Ministerial Roundtable: Joint Statement

The Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed a UNESCO conference on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan

The dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan was discussed at a conference held at the initiative of Iceland at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris today on the occasion of International Women's Day. A video address from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms.…

Iceland and Georgia sign air services agreement

An air services agreement between Iceland and Georgia was signed in Reykjavík today. This is the first air services agreement between the two countries, but preparations for the agreement began in 2018. Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary of State, and Givi Davitashvili, Director of the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia, signed the agreement.

Minister puts emphasis on safeguarding human rights and international system in address to UN Human Rights Council

Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir today delivered her address to the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. In her speech, Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir emphasized the need to safeguard the United Nations and the international system established after World War II.…

Joint statement on the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death

The Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse calls for gender to be an integral part of the AI Action Summit

Nordic Baltic Foreign Ministers statement on Belarus

The Nordic-Baltic countries support the statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on support to the Belarusian people.

Regular Consultation Meeting on Bilateral Relations between Iceland and Greenland

Senior officials from Iceland and Greenland met in Reykjavík on Wednesday to review the bilateral cooperation between the countries. The meeting was part of regular consultations between the countries based on a cooperation declaration signed by the Prime Ministers of Iceland Greenland in Reykjavík on 13 October 2022 on increased cooperation.…

The Minister for Foreign Affairs’ working visit to Ukraine

Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, made a working visit to Ukraine on Tuesday.

Finland conducts its first NATO Air Policing Mission in Iceland

A Finnish fighter detachment will arrive in Iceland by the end of January for a NATO Air Policing Mission. The detachment consists of four F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and up to 50 personnel.

Joint Statement by Nordic Baltic countries on the energy situation in the Republic of Moldova

We note Gazprom’s decision to cease gas supplies to Moldova as of January 1st, 2025. This action is aimed at undermining political and economic stability in Moldova.

Iceland takes seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council

On January 1st, Iceland became a Member of the United Nations Human Rights Council and will serve for a three-year term, or until the end of 2027.

Joint Statement by Nordic Baltic Foreign Ministers on Situation in Georgia

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir assumes role as Minister for Foreign Affairs

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir assumed the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs today, succeeding Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, the outgoing Minister. Þorgerður Katrín becomes the the fifth woman to hold this position.

Popular course on security and defence issues

Around 50 people have now completed an in-depth course on security and defence issues, conducted jointly by the Directorate for Defence at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. Altogether three fully subscribed courses have been held so far.

JEF Leaders' Summit Emphasizes Continued Support for Ukraine

Security developments in Europe, support for Ukraine, and increased defence cooperation were among the topics discussed by the leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) at their summit in Tallinn, Estonia, which concluded today. Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir attended the meeting on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Advanced Research Workshop on Undersea Communications Cables and Crisis Management

The Department of Defence in Ireland and the Directorate for Defence of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Iceland jointly hosted an Advanced Research Workshop on Undersea Communications Cables and Crisis Management on 3-5 December.

ICC 23rd Assembly of States Parties - General Debate

Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse on the lifecycle of online violence from childhood to adulthood

Statement by Nordic Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the situation in Georgia

We, the Nordics, join the international calls for a thorough and impartial investigation of reported irregularities before and during Georgia’s 26 October parliamentary elections. It is essential to dispel doubts that have been cast on the integrity of the electoral process.

Nordic statement on the draft legal bills in the Knesset related to UNRWA

The Nordic countries are deeply concerned by the recent introduction of draft legal bills in the Knesset that, if adopted, would prevent the UNRWA from continuing its operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza.…

Strong Bilateral Defense Relationship Reaffirmed with Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

The challenging security environment, cooperation in the Arctic, and bilateral defense cooperation between Iceland and the United States were among the topics discussed during a recent meeting between Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir and General Charles Q. Brown Jr., U.S. Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff.

Joint Statement on Arctic Security and Defence

Under the auspice of the Northern Defence Dialogue meeting held on the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting on 17 October 2024, the defence ministers of Canada, Denmark together with the Foreign Minister of the Faroe Islands and a representative from Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and representatives from Iceland and the United States reaffirm their shared commitment to enhanced…

HRC57 - Joint statements supported by Iceland

Iceland hosts Arctic Allies

On 9 October, the Chiefs of Defence of Iceland, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and the United States met in Keflavík, Iceland, to discuss priorities and perspectives in relation to the security situation in the Arctic.

Iceland elected as member of United Nations Human Rights Council

Iceland was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council today at the UN General Assembly in New York. Nineteen countries put forward their candidatures for eighteen available seats on the Council for a three-year term from 2025 to 2027. Iceland's candidature is supported by all Nordic States.

Joint statement following the Strategic Dialogue between Canada, Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden

Joint Statement on the Situation in Venezuela

Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse calls for urgent action on countering gendered disinformation

The undersigned country members of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse (Global Partnership) call attention to the urgent need to counter the spread of gendered disinformation and address all forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women in political and public life.