News

Iceland pledges support to humanitarian efforts in Sudan

Iceland will provide 140 million ISK over the next two years in support of humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan. Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary, announced this new pledge at an international humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries in Paris yesterday, hosted by France, Germany and the European Commission.

Strong position protected and contributed to the reduction of inflation

During the period of the government‘s Fiscal Strategy Plan for 2025-2029, presented today by Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, emphasis will be placed on moderate expenditure growth in order to protect the economy’s strong position, help lower inflation and create conditions for lowering interest rates.…

Hydrogen and E-fuels Roadmap for Iceland

Iceland hosts NATO’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference in Reykjavik

Over 200 cyber security experts from NATO member states took part in NATO’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference in Reykjavík on 9-11 April. During the conference experts discussed the principal cyber security threats and challenges facing member states.…

Nordic statement on the opening of the port of Ashdod and the Erez crossing 12 April 2024

The Nordic countries welcome the Israeli government’s announcement that life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza can be received in the port of Ashdod, that the Erez crossing will be reopened to facilitate entry to north Gaza, and that humanitarian assistance from Jordan entering through Kerem Shalom crossing in the south will be increased.

Sendiráð Íslands verður lokað vegna viðhalds mánudaginn 15. apríl

Utankjörfundaratkvæðagreiðsla í sendiráðinu og hjá kjörræðismönnum

Economic impact of Iceland’s Film Production Incentive

In 2023, Olsberg•SPI (“SPI”) was commissioned by Iceland’s Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs to undertake a project (the “Study”) to assess the economic impact of Iceland’s Film Production Incentive. The Study aims to quantify and describe the economic impacts generated by film and television (“Screen”) productions funded through Iceland’s incentive.…

Sendiráð Íslands í Vínarborg er lokað frá 28. mars til 1. apríl 2024

Increased support for the defence of Ukraine

Iceland will support the Czech initiative to provide ammunition for Ukraine and fund equipment for women in the Ukrainian military. Ukraine is facing severe shortage of artillery shells, and the Czech-led initiative will help finance the delivery of ammunition to Ukraine, a vital part for Ukraine’s defence. Approximately two million euros are expected to be spent on the project by Iceland.

The Foreign Minister proposes to Althingi a resolution on long-term support to Ukraine

Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson has introduced a draft parliamentary resolution on Iceland’s long-term support for Ukraine. The aim is to signal Iceland's unwavering commitment and solidarity with Ukraine, and to allow for long-term planning and greater efficiency in these efforts.

Iceland disburses annual core contribution to UNRWA

Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has decided that the payment of Iceland's core contribution to the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) will be made by 1 April.

Iceland supports the training of Ukrainian naval cadets

Iceland has undertaken training of Ukrainian naval cadets who will receive training in practical seamanship including navigation, maritime surveillance, and operations, including search and rescue.

Treasury successfully issues its inaugural Green bond

Today the Republic of Iceland issued a green bond in the amount of 750 million euros, the equivalent of ISK 111 bn. The bond bears a 3.5% fixed rate coupon, a reoffer yield of 3,636% and a 10 year maturity. The bonds are issued off Iceland´s Sustainable Financing Framework.

EFTA states and India sign Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement

A new Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA states— Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland - and India was signed in New Delhi on Sunday 10 March 2024. Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson signed the agreement on Iceland’s behalf.

Iceland’s delegation in Cairo has concluded its work

Today, 72 Palestinians from Gaza with residence permit in Iceland have arrived in Iceland to be reunited with their families. Their passage from Gaza across the Rafah border, which requires approval from the Egyptian and Israeli governments, was facilitated by a delegation from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that has been operating in Egypt for the last few weeks.

Fitch Affirms Iceland at ‘A’; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iceland’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A’ with a Stable Outlook.

New partnership agreement with ICRC

Anna Jóhannsdóttir, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed on 27 February 2024 a new partnership agreement on Iceland’s flexible and predictable financial support to the ICRC over the next three years. The agreement stipulates 30 million ISK annual contributions in support of ICRC’s core activities.

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs calls for collective action at the Human Rights Council

Iceland’s Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson stressed the importance of collective action to address the regression of human rights as he delivered Iceland’s speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday.

Permanent Secretary of State, Mr. Martin Eyjólfsson, travelled to New Delhi for Nordic-Baltic participation in the Raisina Dialogue

On 21-23 February, the Permanent Secretary of State, Mr. Martin Eyjólfsson, visited New Delhi in the company of Nordic-Baltic colleagues to attend the annual Raisina Dialogue. The trip was undertaken jointly within the framework of the Nordic Baltic cooperation (NB8).

Long-term support to Ukraine

The Government of Iceland will put forward a five-year plan to Althingi to cement Iceland‘s long-term commitment of support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia‘s illegal invasion. Iceland will also continue to support Ukraine on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Negotiations on the settlement of HF Fund's bonds

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, on behalf of ÍL-sjóður (HF Fund) and the Icelandic State, and representatives of 18 pension funds, which together hold the largest share of bonds to which ÍL-sjóður is the issuer, have decided to start negotiations on the settlement of the Fund's bonds

Support for Ukraine on the top of the agenda at the Munich Security Conference

Growing concerns over the state of international affairs were central to discussions at the annual Munich Security Conference held in Germany. Broad consensus on the importance of supporting Ukraine's defence and safeguarding democratic values were the issues that topped the agenda.…

Iceland co-leads the Demining Coalition

Iceland is among 20 countries that intend to support Ukraine in mine detection and clearance, with a declaration of intent signed in Brussels yesterday in connection with the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting.

NATO Defence Ministers focus on deterrence and Ukraine in Brussels

Strengthening defence and deterrence and closer cooperation with Ukraine were among the topics of discussion at the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) defence ministers' meeting in Brussels today. Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson attended the meeting.

Language Technology for Less-Resourced Languages in the Nordics

Language Technology for Less-Resourced Languages in the Nordics: Current Developments and Collaborative Opportunities

Financial support for UNRWA delayed

Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, decided on Friday to delay the disbursement of Iceland’s annual core contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) following reports of allegations of the involvement of twelve UNRWA employees in the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7.…

Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the International Court of Justice's Order

The Icelandic government has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire in order to ease the suffering of the people of Gaza. Today's Order of the International Court of Justice on provisional measures is a testament to the dire situation in Gaza and the obligations of the parties to the conflict to protect civilians.…

New multi-year framework agreements with OCHA and CERF

Einar Gunnarsson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations in Geneva, and Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) in Geneva, signed two new multi-year framework agreements outlining Iceland’s continued flexible and predictable financial support to OCHA and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), two…

Reykjanes Volcanic Eruption: Icelandic Government Advice

On Sunday 14 January, at 07:57, a further volcanic eruption began north of the town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula.

Norwegian Air Force conducts air policing around Iceland

A flight squadron from the Norwegian Air Force is expected to arrive in the country on Monday to conduct a NATO air policing mission in Iceland for the next few weeks. This will be the eighth time that the Norwegians have supported the mission, with the Norwegian Air Force last deployment present in the country in January and February of 2023.

Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy 2024-2028

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has published Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy for the period 2024-2028.

Iceland takes part in NATO Cyber Defense Exercise

Iceland recently participated in the annual NATO Cyber Defense Exercise, Cyber Coalition 2023, along with 35 allied and partner countries. This was the first time Iceland took part in the exercise. Its goal was to test the collective defence capabilities and coordination of the countries' cyber defence forces in response to a major cyber attack.

Iceland joins two coalitions supporting Ukraine

Iceland will join two coalitions providing support to Ukraine, the IT coalition and the Demining coalition.

Impact Evaluation of the Icelandic Research Fund

Terms of Reference: to provide a quantitative analysis of the Icelandic Research Fund, its visibility and impact, covering funding patterns, springboard to other activities and funding, scientific outputs, educational engagement & social, cultural and economic impact.

Budget 2024: Continued fiscal consolidation and support in reducing inflation

Prioritization in government finances, continued fiscal consolidation and support in reducing inflation are reflected in the 2024 budget, which has been approved by Parliament. The budget reflects the government‘s commitment to responsible public finances and prioritises basic services and the welfare system.

Reykjanes Volcanic Eruption: Tourism Response Team Meeting and Media Centre Reopened

Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Trade, met early this morning with the Tourism Response Team, which operates under the Government and tourist service provider emergency response plan.

Reykjanes Volcanic Eruption: Icelandic Government Advice

Monday, at 22:17, a volcanic eruption began northeast of the town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. This is the fourth eruption since 2021 in the area, and the largest so far with an initial fissure opening of 4 km.

Joint Statement of the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Oslo

At the second Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Oslo 13 December, the Prime Minister of Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden and the President of Finland and Ukraine issued the following statement:

Starf sérfræðings við sendiráð Íslands í Kaupmannahöfn

Sendiráðið leitar að metnaðarfullum sérfræðingi í 100% starf.

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Prize for Women's Empowerment open for nominations

Nominations are now open for the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir's Prize for Women's Empowerment. The award was established in Reykjavík last May on the eve of the Council of Europe summit.

IceWind selected for the first DIANA Challenge

The Icelandic innovation company IceWind, which develops and builds robust vertical axis wind turbines, designed to withstand all weather conditions, and be installed in remote locations, was selected for the first Emerging and Disruptive Technologies Challenge by the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

Unlocking potential: Live conference stream

The Nordic Network for Newly Arrived Students and the Ministry of Education and Children in Iceland host the Nordic conference, Unlocking potential: Effective strategies for supporting immigrant children, for policy makers Thursday 7 December 2023 from 9:00 to 17:00 in Reykjavík, Iceland. The conference live stream and subsequent recording can be accessed here:

Enhanced surveillance of critical underwater infrastructure

The Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) have decided to activate a JEF Response Option, which includes enhanced surveillance of critical underwater infrastructure. The activity will take place in early December and is intended to increase surveillance and presence in cooperation with NATO, which also carries out similar missions in the Baltic Sea region.

Your views matter!

Would you like to participate in the shaping of Iceland’s first policy on the matters of immigrants and refugees?

Defence ministers discuss security developments at a meeting in Stockholm

Security developments, strengthened defence posture and continued support for Ukraine were among the issues on the agenda in a recent two-day meeting of Nordic and Baltic defence ministers in Stockholm.…

Mobile field hospital donated by Iceland operational in Ukraine

The mobile field hospital, which Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament, decided in the spring to donate to the Ukrainian people, has arrived in Ukraine and is operational. The total cost of the project amounted to EUR 7.4 million, or approximately ISK 1.1 billion. The mobile field hospital is an important contribution and is useful in caring for wounded soldiers and civilians near the battlefield.

Iceland increases support to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland has decided to provide an additional contribution of 100 million ISK in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The contribution will be divided between the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was announced at a cabinet meeting today.

Robert Spano elected to the Board of the Register of Damage for Ukraine

Robert Spano of Iceland was today elected to serve on the Board of the Register of Damage caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The election took place at the meeting of Participants of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register of Damage for Ukraine that took place in Strasbourg.…

Call for Applications for grants from the Development Fund for Immigrant Issues

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and the Immigrant Council invite applications for grants from the Development Fund for Immigrant Issues.