News

Media Freedom Coalition statement on World Press Freedom Day 2026

Media Freedom Coalition statement on World Press Freedom Day 2026

World Bank President Banga met with Ministers from the Nordic-Baltic countries

The Nordic and Baltic states jointly form a constituency within the World Bank and share a seat on its Board of Governors. Their annual meeting with the World Bank President was held in Reykjavík 29-30 April.

Visit of Commander, JFC Norfolk: Iceland's key role in North Atlantic Defence Cooperation

Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir met with Vice Admiral Douglas G. Perry, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk. This is his first visit to Iceland since all Nordic countries were placed under the responsibility of NATO’s Norfolk command area at the beginning of December 2025.

Parliamentary Resolution on a Defence and Security Policy

Translated version of the Parliamentary Resolution on a Defence and Security Policy approved by the Althing on 3 February 2026

Arctic Security Forces Roundtable convenes in Iceland

Iceland hosted the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) in Keflavík on 24–25 March, bringing together senior military leaders to discuss developments in security and defence across the Arctic region. The meeting focused on strengthening shared situational awareness and enhancing coordination among Allies in the Arctic.

Bilateral Dialogue between Iceland and Canada

Bilateral Dialogue between Iceland and Canada took place in Reykjavík on 23 and 24 March. The Dilalogue focused on Consultations on international affairs, security, and defence matters.

Bilateral defence consultations with Germany

The Embassy of Iceland in Berlin also hosted a conference on security issues in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, in cooperation with the embassies of Denmark, Canada, and Norway, as well as the German Federal Ministry of Defence.

Iceland intervenes in South Africa case at the International Court of Justice

As a Contracting Party to the Genocide Convention, Iceland intervenes under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court.

Government proposes referendum on whether to return to EU accession talks

The Government of Iceland has today decided to put to Althingi, the Icelandic parliament, a motion for resolution proposing to hold a referendum on 29 August 2026 on whether to resume accession talks with the European Union (EU).

Statement on the decisions by the International Paralympic Committee related to the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden firmly condemn the recent decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games under their national flags, also allowing the display of their anthems and state symbols.

Deadline Approaching for the 2026 Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment Nominations

The deadline for the third edition of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment nominations is 27 March 2026.

Iceland reiterates support for Ukraine at events in Geneva and Kyiv

Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir underlined that Iceland stands with Ukraine.

Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces visits Iceland

Gen Michael Claesson, Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, visited Iceland this week on the occasion that a Swedish fighter detachment is currently deployed in Iceland for a NATO Air Policing Mission for the first time.

Joint Statement on UNRWA

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdóttir, has along with her counterparts from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom today issued a Joint Statement on UNRWA.

Statement by the Nordic Baltic States on Russia’s destruction of energy infrastructure in Ukraine

The Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, the Nordic Baltic 8, deplore Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, residential areas and critical infrastructure.

UN Human Rights Council at Special Session condems crackdown in Iran

Iceland lead the call for a Special Session and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, addressed the session today.

Key meetings for Permanent Secretary of State in Washington, DC

Trade and tariffs and Iceland´s and USA´s cooperation in the field of security and defense were high on the agenda, as were international affairs, including the topic of Greenland and the Arctic and the transatlantic relationship.

Sweden conducts its first NATO Air Policing Mission in Iceland

A Swedish fighter detachment will arrive in Iceland in the beginning of February for a NATO Air Policing Mission. The detachment consists of six JAS Gripen fighter jets and up to 110 personnel.

Iceland leads a call for a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on Iran

The United Nations Human Rights Council will convene a Special Session on Friday 23 January at 14:00 to address an unprecedented escalation of violence, arbitrary arrests and mass unlawful killings of protesters in Iran.

Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on Greenland

As Nordic countries, Arctic States and NATO allies we are collectively committed to preserving security, stability and co-operation in the Arctic. We have all taken steps to increase deterrence and defence in the region, including through new capabilities, activities, presence and increased situational awareness. We support NATO increasing its presence and vigilance in the region.…

Joint Statement on the Gaza Humanitarian Response

Joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom on Gaza.

Joint Statement on settlements in the Occupied West Bank

We, States of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom condemn the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Iceland ratifies the BBNJ Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity beyond National Jurisdiction

Yesterday, Iceland deposited its instrument of ratification of the BBNJ Agreement with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in time for its upcoming entry into force on 17 January 2026.

Iceland Supports New Claims Commission for Ukraine

Iceland was among 35 countries that signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine yesterday. The signing took place at a diplomatic conference under the auspices of the Council of Europe in The Hague, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Joint statement on preventing and responding to non-consensual intimate image (NVII) abuse

Today, on this Human Rights Day and in the context of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the undersigned partners of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse call attention to the urgent need to counter the creation, sharing and dissemination of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) as well as to provide victim/survivor centred resources and…

NATO Secretary-General Rutte in Iceland

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was given a tour of the security area at Keflavík Air Base and met with both Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.

Development of infrastructure in Helguvík underway

Minister for Foreign Affairs signs letter of intent with local officials. The construction will be financed by NATO.

Iceland concludes successful term on UNESCO’s Executive Board

Iceland concluded today its four-year period on the Executive Board of UNESCO during the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Report of parliamentary consultative panel

Iceland’s defence and security policy shall be based on the National Security Policy, which aims to ensure the independence, sovereignty, democratic governance, and territorial integrity of Iceland, the safety of its citizens, the defence of the country, and the protection of the governmental system and critical national infrastructure.

Minister presents defense and security policy in parliament

This marks Iceland‘s first formal policy on defense issues and is based on recommendations from a consultation group of MPs appointed in March to discuss the content and priorities of the policy.

Iceland visit for UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, met with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Reykjavík on 3 November.

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic Countries and New Zealand

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and New Zealand, 29 October 2025

Iceland and Germany to deepen defense cooperation

Boris Pistorius, the German Defence Minister, visited Iceland on 19-20 October, signing with Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir a Letter of Intent.

Role of World Bank greater than ever

Challenges facing developing countries and the global economy were at the top of the agenda at the World Bank annual meetings in Washington D.C. this October.

Foreign Minister meets with Chair of NATO Military Committee

Admiral Dragone of Italy also spoke at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

Bilateral visit of Palestinian Foreign Minister to Iceland

Dr. Varsen Aghabekian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine, visited Iceland from 8-11 October at the invitation of Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir.

Human Rights Council approves an investigative mechanism for Afghanistan

The United Nations Human Rights Council, of which Iceland is a member 2025-2027, adopted 37 resolutions at its third and last session of 2025.

Supporting Early Childhood Development Centres in Sierra Leone

A new Early Childhood Development Centre was opened in Sierra Leone, in Konacrydee in the Port Loko District, north of Freetown, in September. The project is part of a larger cooperation programme between the Government of Iceland, UNICEF and the Government og Sierra Leone.

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister attend UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir have been attending this week the annual High-Level week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. ​

Report by panel of parliamentarians outlines key elements of a defence and security policy

A consultative panel of parliamentarians representing five of the six political parties in Alþingi has submitted a report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, outlining key elements that a national defence and security policy for Iceland should be based on.…

Joint Statement on the situation in Palestine

German Chief of Defence visits Iceland

Carsten Breuer, General and Chief of Defence of Germany, visited Iceland this week and held meetings with Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Jónas G. Allansson, Director General of the Defence Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday.

Joint Statement on E1 plans

Media Freedom Coalition Statement on Foreign Media Access to Gaza

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries and Canada on their support to Ukraine

Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza

Joint Statement by the Nordic-Baltic leaders on Ukraine

The Leaders of the Nordic and Baltic states, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden on 10 August 2025 issued a Joint Statement on Ukraine.

Joint Statement on the situation in Palestine

On 10 August 2025 the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, issued a Joint Statement with seven of her European counterparts on the situation in Palestine.

Joint statement on Gaza

GRÓ Annual Report 2024 published

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