Northern Horizons – 50 years of NIB operations

Seminar streaming will be available here.

Event information

Date: 1 September 2026

Time: 14:30 (EET)

In 1976, the Nordic Investment Bank began its operations in Helsinki, bringing a joint ambition of the five Nordic governments to life.

In the fifty years since, the bank has supported the region’s growth and development by adapting to changing needs, welcoming the Baltic countries as members, and helping to build a foundation for a sustainable and resilient future.

Welcome to our anniversary event where fresh insights on NIB’s history meet high-level discussions on how NIB can support its member countries with the challenges of our time. The seminar will also see the launch of the first major book on the Bank’s history.

Programme

14:30 Opening words by Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finland

15:00 Start of the seminar

Opening of the seminar

Master of Ceremonies: Jaana Pelkonen

Welcoming words

Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Iceland, NIB Governor

Panel discussion: NIB’s history—More than Money 

Coinciding with the publication of the first-ever NIB history book, this panel looks at the Bank’s journey and its most important developments over the years. The discussion will explore how NIB’s evolving mission and mandate have supported the Nordic–Baltic region— and how the Bank’s role has adapted to meet changing regional needs.

Speakers:

Siv Hellén, Former General Counsel and CCO, NIB

Johnny Åkerholm, Former President & CEO, NIB

Henrik Normann, Former President & CEO, NIB

André Küüsvek, President & CEO, NIB

Byron Rom-Jensen, Author of NIB’s history book, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Oslo

Moderator: Jukka Ahonen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, NIB

Panel discussion: Financing resilience—securing the future of the Nordic–Baltic region

In the light of escalating geopolitical tensions and the rise of hybrid threats, this discussion connects current developments in energy security, critical infrastructure, competitiveness, and the green transition. The discussion focuses on resilience in the Nordic–Baltic region: what it entails, how it can be financed, and which strategic investment decisions will define the years ahead.