Unlocking regional power: why Nordic partnership matters

Strengthening Polish-Nordic ties in the Baltic Sea region

Poland and the Nordic countries are linked not only by their membership in NATO, but also by their geographical proximity, which is associated with increasingly intensive cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Joint activities in this area are proving crucial to ensuring stability in the Baltic Sea region. The best example is Baltops – a major annual NATO naval exercise in the Baltic Sea with participation from Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway.

Worth mentioning that this cooperation brings mutual value. On the one hand, the Nordic countries can offer modern technologies and experience in the defence, energy, and digital sectors. On the other one, Poland can propose production capacity, and a growing domestic market. Taking everything into account it is possible to create a strong partnership in the areas of economy, technology, and security.

Strategic economic cooperation

Economic cooperation is another area for strengthening the partnership, because, as with security issues, both sides have advantages that can bring mutual benefits. It is possible to indicate several of initiatives, including the Danish company Ørsted investing in offshore wind farms, the Swedish company IKEA expanding its logistics operations in Poland, and Finnish tech startups partnering with Polish IT firms, the best example – ICEYE – specialising in construction and operation of radar microsatellites that can observe the Earth’s surface day and night, regardless of weather conditions.

The effectiveness of this partnership is the result of the Nordic pragmatism and Polish economic energy that creates strong potential for innovation, increasing the entire region’s resilience to economic and strategic challenges.

Security and geopolitics

Partnership in terms of security was enhanced by the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO. Thanks to that the defence system of the Baltic Sea has been strengthened. Through the accession joint infrastructure, energy, and technology projects have not only an economic but also a strategic dimension. In terms of security, the region can rely on support from United States Armed Forces, but it should be perceived as something additional. The foundation should be based on its own capable armed forces, innovative economies, and societies ready to defend their states.

What is more, Poland can be inspired by Nordic countries in terms of security model, that is stated in ”total defence” models in Sweden and Norway and ”comprehensive security system” in Finland. By this inspiration, Poles can acknowledge that security requires the integration of all elements of the state – from critical infrastructure to civilian mobilization. Through Polish-Nordic allies a lot of should be done in terms of civil defence – building shelters, promoting civil defence associations and training citizens to strengthen their resilience and preparedness.

Regional potential

The combined potential of Poland, the Nordic countries, and the Baltic states forms one of the most dynamic and promising regional constellations in Europe. Together, these nations create not only an impressive economic bloc, whose nominal GDP already surpasses that of Russia, but also a community of shared values, innovation, and strategic foresight.

This regional network has a growing influence in shaping European and transatlantic security architectures. Enhanced integration across the Baltic Sea strengthens collective resilience to military, economic, and hybrid threats, while opening new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as green energy, digital transformation, and sustainable industry.

By aligning their strategic priorities, the countries of the Baltic region can build a coherent framework that connects security policy with economic modernisation and environmental responsibility.

This cooperation, based on trust and shared expertise, reflects the spirit of initiatives such as the International Baltic Security Summit, which promotes dialogue and knowledge exchange as foundations of regional resilience. Today, the Baltic Sea is no longer a dividing line. It is a common space of connectivity, growth, and security. The region’s strength lies in its ability to work together, combining national experiences into shared strategies that foster stability, competitiveness, and a sense of mutual responsibility for the future.

How to improve the cooperation?

Deepening cooperation between Poland and the Nordic countries requires structured, inclusive platforms where decision-makers, experts, and innovators can exchange ideas and shape practical outcomes. One of the most important of these initiatives is the International Baltic Security Summit. This forum embodies the spirit of cooperation and strategic dialogue in the Baltic Sea region.

Held annually, the IBSS serves as a hub of regional partnership, where participants explore the economic, political, and technological dimensions of security and sustainable development. The 2025 edition, taking place on October 30 in Łódź, Poland, continues this mission by bringing together voices from across Europe and beyond.

Organised by the Centre for Strategic Analysis and Forecasting of the University of Łódź (Centrum Analiz i Prognoz Strategicznych Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego) and the Nordic Institute (Instytut Nordycki), the conference reflects a shared commitment to building an open, resilient, and secure Baltic region. Through cooperation, dialogue, and mutual trust, Poland and its northern partners can lay the groundwork for a stable and innovative regional ecosystem.

The IBSS is more than a conference. It is a strategic meeting point for representatives of academia, public administration, diplomacy, the military, business, and international organisations. Its inclusive structure allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives from geopolitics and defence to energy transition, economic security, and digital innovation.

By convening leading experts and practitioners, IBSS encourages participants to view Baltic security as a multidimensional concept integrating hard and soft security, economic resilience, and societal cohesion.

The ultimate goal is not only to diagnose threats but to develop concrete recommendations and collaborative models that enhance regional stability and strengthen collective resilience.

Key areas of discussion include the role of NATO and transatlantic cooperation, the advancement of cybersecurity frameworks, and the pursuit of energy independence and sustainable economic growth. IBSS thus stands as a living manifestation of regional solidarity, where Poland, the Nordic countries, and the Baltic states transform shared challenges into opportunities for innovation, security, and lasting partnership.

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