At the opening of the “Nordic Solutions for Green Transition” conference, H.E. Hilde Svartdal Lunde, Ambassador of Norway to Romania, delivered a message that resonated with both conviction and pragmatism: sustainability is not only about technology — it is about trust, cooperation, and shared values.
“Green solutions on energy are of utmost importance to tackle climate change, but also to make our energy supply sustainable and to become energy independent in a truly testing time for Europe,” the Ambassador said in her keynote address. Speaking on behalf of all four Nordic embassies and the Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Bucharest, Ambassador Lunde set the tone for a two-day conference designed to strengthen ties between Nordic innovators and Romanian stakeholders.
Trust as the core of Nordic success
Ambassador Lunde emphasized that when speaking of Nordic solutions, the reference goes beyond technological innovation. It extends to a deeply rooted culture of cooperation. “Our motivation is grounded in shared values of democracy, trust, and mutual respect. This spirit of collaboration has enabled us to build resilient societies and to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage,” she explained.
The Nordic countries consistently rank high in global indices for economic performance, human development, and democratic governance. Ambassador Lunde identified trust — between citizens, institutions, and neighboring states — as the underlying fabric of these achievements. It is a principle that could guide and inspire partnerships with Romania as well.
While acknowledging historical and political differences among the Nordic countries — only three being EU members, and all now NATO allies — she underscored how like-mindedness and shared objectives have outweighed diversity. The institutional foundation of this cooperation, she reminded, lies in the Nordic Council of Ministers, “the official body of intergovernmental cooperation between the Nordic countries, seeking common solutions to common challenges wherever and whenever we can achieve more together than working on our own.”
A tradition of cooperation extending eastward
The Ambassador also pointed to how the Nordic model of collaboration continues to evolve through projects that integrate technology, environment, and community. She highlighted the Bothnia Green Energy initiative — a cross-border project between Finland and Sweden promoting sustainable energy solutions in the Kvarken region — as a living example of how shared efforts deliver tangible innovation.
“Our cooperation remains stronger than ever,” she said, noting that the Nordic countries are also deepening ties with Baltic partners and other regional neighbors. The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) has become, she remarked, “a key alliance in supporting Ukraine and Moldova,” a reflection of the region’s unity in defending democracy and security. NB8 is an official intergovernmental cooperation format that includes five Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden — and three Baltic countries — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, she added, has “underscored the urgent need to rethink and reshape Europe’s energy systems” while staying committed to climate objectives. “We must not lose sight of the climate crisis, which demands increased cooperation and the effective use of all available resources to strengthen our competitiveness and resilience.”
Romania is a partner for a greener Europe
Turning to Romania, Ambassador Lunde expressed strong confidence in the country’s potential to play a pivotal role in Europe’s green transformation. “We believe strongly in Romania’s potential in the field of energy and green transition and we hope Nordic companies will have the opportunity to learn more about this potential and contribute their expertise,” she said.
The conference agenda, she noted, was structured around areas where Nordic experience can bring value — renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, and energy flexibility — alongside a focus on financing, essential for turning ambition into reality.
She also took a moment to acknowledge the enthusiasm of Romanian youth. “We are especially encouraged by the engagement of youth in the workshop that took place last week. Drawing inspiration from Nordic NGOs and youth, we hope that the recommendations of the Romanian participants will help shape the future of our efforts.”
Building bridges through knowledge and partnership
The Ambassador’s address concluded with an appeal to use the conference as a platform for concrete cooperation. “Let us use this opportunity to share knowledge, build new connections, and explore concrete steps towards a greener and more resilient Europe,” she said, extending gratitude to State Secretary Cristian Bușoi for his engagement and to Energynomics for its organizational role in making the event possible.
Her message was clear: the path to sustainability cannot be walked alone. It requires dialogue, openness, and the trust that has long been the cornerstone of Nordic cooperation. In this spirit, Romania finds itself not only as a partner, but as a bridge — connecting Europe’s north and south through shared purpose and ambition in the green transition.
The “Nordic Solutions for Green Transition” conference, financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and organized jointly by the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of Finland, the Consulate of Iceland, the Embassy of Sweden, and the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest — with the support of Energynomics — brought together policymakers, business leaders, technology providers, and representatives of civil society to explore pathways for collaboration on green energy.