News

Government of Iceland announces increased support for companies and extension of part-time unemployment benefits

Icelandic companies that have suffered substantial revenue losses due to the COVID-19 crisis will be given the opportunity to apply for government support to pay a portion of salary costs during the employee notice period, protecting workers’ rights and preventing a wave of corporate insolvencies.

Government of Iceland Announces Second Phase of Economic Response Package to the COVID-19 Crisis

Worth up to 420m USD, the latest phase of the economic response focuses on support and protections for small enterprises, innovation and vulnerable groups.

Restrictions to be gradually lifted starting 4 May

At a press conference today, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Justice introduced steps to lift the restrictions currently in place in Iceland due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Covid-19 epidemic receding in Iceland - 295 new infections in the past seven days and 363 recoveries

Iceland's Chief Epidemiologists said in today's press briefing that the data suggests that the outbreak of Covid-19 in Iceland is showing clear signs of deceleration. He advises that the apparent success is precarious, and minor setbacks can change the outlook dramatically.

Stricter measures enforced in Iceland: Ban on gatherings of more than 20 people

The Icelandic government has announced a ban on gatherings of 20 people or more, starting Tuesday 24 March 2020. These measures are put in place to halt the spread of COVID-19 infections in Iceland, following recommendations from the Chief Epidemiologist to Svandís Svavarsdóttir Icelands‘s Minister of Health.…

Icelandic Government announces 1.6bn USD response package to the COVID-19 crisis

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Finance and Economy and Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Transport and Local Government today announced the first-phase response measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The package is equivalent to ISK 230 bn (USD 1.6 bn) or just under 8% of Icelandic GDP.

Large scale testing of general population in Iceland underway

Iceland has tested a higher proportion of citizens than most other countries yielding valuable insights into the behavior of the virus.

Icelanders advised not to travel abroad

The Government of Iceland has decided to advise Icelanders not to travel abroad under the current circumstances and Icelanders traveling abroad are encouraged to consider returning to Iceland earlier then planned.

Economic response to COVID-19

The Government of Iceland’s action plan to respond to the economic impact of COVID-19 aims to reduce and shorten the impact on business and the economy while also creating the conditions for a swift recovery.

The Icelandic government seeks to lead an action coalition of the Generation Equality Forum

The Icelandic government has welcomed UN Women’s Gender Equality Forum and expressed its interest to take on a leadership to support the initiative during the next five years.

The Prime Minister’s Committee for the Future publishes a report on Icelandic society in 2035–2040

The Committee for the Future, appointed by the Prime Minister, has published a report on Icelandic society in 2035-2040. The publication is the first report by the committee and addresses economic, environmental, regional and demographic developments and challenges of the Icelandic society over the next 15–20 years.

Indicators for measuring Well-being in Iceland

The Prime Minister‘s Committee on measurements for Well-being in Iceland has proposed a framework of 39 indicators that cover social, economic and environmental dimensions of quality of life. These indicators are intended to complement traditional economic measures, such as GDP, and monitor trends in people’s wellbeing.

An International conference on #metoo will start tomorrow

The Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, opens an international conference on #metoo, starting at 14.30 tomorrow in Harpa and concluding on 19 September. ​Tomorrow programme includes keynote speakers and debates with participation of the Nordic Ministers of gender equality.

Nordic Prime Ministers adopt a new vision and meet with Angela Merkel

The annual summer meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers was held in Reykjavik yesterday, with the participation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Nordic Prime Ministers adopted a new vision for the Nordic Council of Ministers for the next ten years, focusing on climate action and sustainability.

The Nordic Prime Ministers and a group of Nordic CEOs in cooperation on climate action

This morning the Nordic Prime Ministers and a group of Nordic CEOs, Nordic CEOs for a Sustainable Future, signed a declaration of cooperation on climate action.

The Nordic Prime Ministers will gather in Reykjavík for annual summer meeting

On Tuesday, August 20, the prime ministers of the Nordic countries will gather in Reykjavik for their annual summer meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be a guest of honour.

Prime Minister‘s VNR address at HLPF 2019 in New York

Iceland's Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Declaration of Intent of the Government, Heavy Industry and Reykjavik Energy on the Capture and Sequestration of Carbon

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister for Tourism, Industry and Innovation, Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister for Education, Science and Culture, and the Managing Directors/Representatives of Reykjavík Energy, Elkem, Alcoa Fjarðaál, Rio Tinto Iceland and Norðurál today…

Prime Minister's address at the 75th anniversary of the Republic of Iceland

Iceland to address the spread of antibiotic resistance

Today, the Government of Iceland launched an action plan aiming to curb the spread of antibiotic resistance. By implementing this action plan, Iceland intends to be at the forefront of addressing this serious threat to global health.

Iceland awarded the Womenomics Honorary Award

Iceland has been awarded the Womenomics Honorary Award for its contribution to gender equality. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, received the award for Iceland’s position as the global front-runner when it comes to gender equality, during the international business conference The Womenomics Nordic Business Conference.

Government actions in support of the Labour Market Living Standards Agreement

The government presented its statement relating to the Living Standards Agreement between the social partners.

Announcement regarding discussions between Icelandair and Wow air

The Icelandic authorities are aware that discussions have commenced between Wow air and Icelandair on the feasibility of a combination of the two businesses.

Iceland and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

US Secretary of State visited Iceland

Trade, Arctic and security and defense were among the topics discussed at a lunch meeting between Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, and Michael Pompeo, US Secretary of State, in Reykjavik today. Pompeo also paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir where they discussed climate change, nuclear disarmament, Arctic affairs and bilateral relations.

Iceland tops the WEF Global Gender Gap Index for the consecutive tenth year

For the tenth year in a row, Iceland is at the top of the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index published this morning. Three Nordic neighbours follow Iceland on the Index – Norway in second place, Sweden comes third and Finland in the fourth place.

Government of Iceland celebrated the centenary of Iceland as a sovereign country

On 1 December 2018, the Government of Iceland celebrated the centenary of Iceland as a sovereign country. Cultural events and exhibits in Reykjavik and around Iceland were open to the public.

Prime Minister's address at the celebration of Iceland's one-hundredth anniversary of sovereignty

Prime Minister's address at the opening ceremony of Iceland's one-hundredth anniversary of sovereignty

Iceland PM convenes a first of many high-level roundtable in historic Höfði House, Reykjavík, calling for peaceful solutions to armed conflict and the protection of universal human rights

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, convened a high-level roundtable of women leaders to discuss peace, security and sustainability in Höfði House today.

Celebrating the Centenary of Independence and Sovereignty

On 1 December 2018, the Government of Iceland will host a cultural programme celebrating the centenary of Iceland as a sovereign country. The program will explore the past while focusing on the future.

Prime Minister's address at the opening of the Arctic Circle - October 19th 2018

Merger of Central Bank of Iceland and Financial Supervisory Authority in preparation - Inflation targeting to remain the principal objective of monetary policy

The Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs and Restructuring of the Financial System has decided to commence a review of the statutory framework for monetary policy, macroprudential policy, and financial market supervision.

Iceland launches new Climate Strategy, boosting efforts to reach Paris goals

The Icelandic Government today announced a new Climate Strategy, intended to boost efforts in cutting net emissions. The new measures are to help Iceland meet its Paris Agreement targets for 2030 and reach the government‘s ambitious aim to make Iceland carbon neutral before 2040.

Speech by the Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, on Iceland's National Day, June 17th 2018

Fellow Icelanders. At the beginning of December 1918, Elka Björnsdóttir, a labourer in Reykjavik, wrote an entry in her journal, as she did at the end of each workday.

Financial stability should be prioritised over price stability

The task force on the monetary policy framework has formulated 11 proposals concerning the framework for prudential tools, a revised and improved inflation target, more targeted application of the Central Bank’s policy instruments, and procedures for monetary policy decision making.

Report: 11 Proposals from the task force on monetary policy

The task force on the monetary policy framework has formulated 11 proposals concerning the framework for prudential tools, a revised and improved inflation target, more targeted application of the Central Bank’s policy instruments, and procedures for monetary policy decision making.

New Icelandic Government takes office

A Government of the Left Green Movement, the Independence Party and the Progressive Party, took office today. The Government is headed by Mrs. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, chairman of the Left Green Movement, with eleven ministers; five from the Independence Party, three from the Left Green Movement and three from the Progressive Party.

Speech by the Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, 17 June 2017

<p>Fellow Icelanders: I would like to welcome you here today, on the anniversary of the Republic of Iceland, and wish you a happy holiday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Seventy-three years ago, in June of 1944, the year our Republic was founded, about 300 children were born in Iceland, and our average life expectancy was about 67 years.&nbsp;</p>

Manchester terror attack - Prime Minister of Iceland expresses his condolences to the British Prime Minister

On behalf of the Government of Iceland I express my deepest condolences in the wake of the heinous attack that took place in Manchester last night .

Iceland Lifts Capital Controls

<p>The Government of Iceland today announces that capital controls on the country's individuals, firms, and pension funds have been lifted with effect on Tuesday. The removal of the capital controls, which stabilised the currency and economy during the country's unprecedented financial crash, represents the completion of Iceland's return to international financial markets.</p>

New Icelandic Government - government of Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson takes office

<p>A Government of the Independence Party, the Reform Party and Bright Future has been formed and took office today. Eleven ministers will take seat in the Government, six from the Independence Party, three from the Reform Party and two from Bright Future. </p>

Government of Mr. Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson takes office

Ten ministers will take seat in the Government, five from the Progressive Party, and five from the Independence Party. Two of the current ministries, Ministry of Industries and Innovation, and Ministry of Welfare, will have two ministers each.

COP21 Summit Paris 30 November 2015

Statement by Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, Prime Minister of Iceland.

Northern Future Forum focuses on creative industries and public sector innovation

The Northern Future Forum this week will bring together for the fifth time the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries and the United Kingdom to discuss future trends in northern Europe.

Glitnir hf. creditor group submits amended proposal for stability contribution

<p>A group of Glitnir hf. creditors has prepared amendments to its previous proposal, submitted by letter on 8 June 2015, concerning Glitnir's stability contribution to the State in connection with the comprehensive capital account liberalisation strategy announced that same day. </p>

Nine Prime Ministers discuss creative industries and public sector innovation in Reykjavík

Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson has invited the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries, the Baltic states and the United Kingdom to discuss future trends in northern Europe at the Northern Future Forum seminar, to be held in Reykjavik on 28th – and 29th of October 2015.

Two billion ISK reserved for support to refugees and asylum seekers

The government of Iceland has decided to recommend to Parliament that 2 billion ISK (14 million EUR) will be provided for support of refugees and asylum seekers in the course of next 15 months in order to respond to the alarming refugee crisis due to the conflict in Syria.

Address by Prime Minister, Mr Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, at Austurvöllur, 17 June&nbsp;2015

<p>"Our National Day on 17 June has had a place in our hearts for more than a hundred years. Public meetings were first held on this date in 1907 to commemorate the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson and it was on the centenary of his birth, in 1911, that a national holiday was first celebrated in his memory. "</p>