News

Foreign Minister meets with Chair of NATO Military Committee

Admiral Dragone of Italy also spoke at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

Iceland Publishes Its First Impact and Allocation Report on Green and Sustainable Financing

The Government of Iceland has released its first Impact and Allocation Report, detailing the use of proceeds and environmental benefits of the country’s green and sustainable bond issuances.

Bilateral visit of Palestinian Foreign Minister to Iceland

Dr. Varsen Aghabekian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine, visited Iceland from 8-11 October at the invitation of Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir.

Human Rights Council approves an investigative mechanism for Afghanistan

The United Nations Human Rights Council, of which Iceland is a member 2025-2027, adopted 37 resolutions at its third and last session of 2025.

English version of the AI Action Plan

An English translation of Iceland‘s AI Action Plan 2025-2027, originally published in July, is now available.

Supporting Early Childhood Development Centres in Sierra Leone

A new Early Childhood Development Centre was opened in Sierra Leone, in Konacrydee in the Port Loko District, north of Freetown, in September. The project is part of a larger cooperation programme between the Government of Iceland, UNICEF and the Government og Sierra Leone.

Play ceases operations - announcement from Icelandic Transport Authority

Play has announced that the company has ceased operations. All Play flights have been cancelled.

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

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing invites applications for grants from the Development Fund for Immigrant Issues. The Fund's purpose is to enhance research and development projects in the field of immigration issues with the goal of facilitating mutual integration of immigrants and Icelandic society.

Report by panel of parliamentarians outlines key elements of a defence and security policy

A consultative panel of parliamentarians representing five of the six political parties in Alþingi has submitted a report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, outlining key elements that a national defence and security policy for Iceland should be based on.…

Iceland 'A+/A-1' Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Stable

On Sept. 5, 2025, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its 'A+/A-1' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Iceland. The outlook is stable.

Joint Statement on the situation in Palestine

German Chief of Defence visits Iceland

Carsten Breuer, General and Chief of Defence of Germany, visited Iceland this week and held meetings with Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Jónas G. Allansson, Director General of the Defence Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday.

Registration open for Iceland’s XIV. Environment Assembly

Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, will host Iceland’s XIV Environmental Assembly on September 15th - 16th, 2025.

Joint Statement on E1 plans

Media Freedom Coalition Statement on Foreign Media Access to Gaza

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries and Canada on their support to Ukraine

Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza

ISTP 2025 – Final Report

The Icelandic Ministry of Education and Children has published the final report on the International Summit on the Teaching Profession, held in Reykjavík this spring. At ISTP 2025, ministers of education and heads of teacher associations from 22 countries discussed education reforms and presented their commitments leading up to the next summit, which will take place in Estonia next year.

Joint Statement by the Nordic-Baltic leaders on Ukraine

The Leaders of the Nordic and Baltic states, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden on 10 August 2025 issued a Joint Statement on Ukraine.

Joint Statement on the situation in Palestine

On 10 August 2025 the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, issued a Joint Statement with seven of her European counterparts on the situation in Palestine.

Joint statement on Gaza

Fitch Revises Iceland´s Outlook to Positive; Affirms IDR at ‘A’

Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Iceland’s Long-Term-Foreign-Currency (LT FC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Positive from Stable and affirmed the IDR at ‘A’.

GRÓ Annual Report 2024 published

The 2024 Annual Report for GRÓ – Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change has been published.

Minister for Foreign Affairs takes part in a high-level conference on the two-state solution

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterated Iceland’s firm belief in the equal rights of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination, as well as the conviction that recognizing an independent Palestinian state is the only way forward to build lasting peace and stability in the region, in her address at the United Nations high-level conference on the two-state…

EU Court Rules in Trademark Dispute Over ‘Iceland’

The General Court of the European Union has confirmed the decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to invalidate Iceland Foods Ltd. exclusive right to the word mark and figurative mark ICELAND.…

Joint statement on behalf of 31 partners on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Joint statement on recent developments in Georgia

Minister visits USS Newport News in Grundartangi Harbour

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited the US submarine USS Newport News in Grundartangi harbour yesterday. The submarine is in Iceland for a regular service visit. This is the not the first time a nuclear-powered US submarine enters Icelandic territorial waters; however, this is the first service visit of such a vessel to an Icelandic port.…

Iceland's AI Action Plan 2025-2027

This Action Plan supports the government's stated strategy of establishing a clear legal framework for AI, which is intended to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and promote public trust in the technology. It also aims to promote innovation and technological development, in part by streamlining government operations, increasing productivity, and by developing digital healthcare services.…

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on malicious behaviour in cyberspace against Czechia

Israel/Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

Nordic foreign ministers at the Nato Summit call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire

Demining Capability Coalition Meets in Reykjavík

Representatives of the countries that make up the Demining Capability Coalition met in Reykjavík last week.

Iceland and France strengthen bilateral defence cooperation

The Icelandic and French authorities have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral defence cooperation. A Letter of Intent to this effect was signed at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland earlier this week.

Treasury debt ratio declines by 5% upon settlement of HF-Fund

The proposal for the settlement of HF-Fund was presented at meetings held on 10 April 2025 with bondholders in series HFF34 and HFF44. It was approved by a majority of votes. The value of the HFF bonds in the settlement is estimated at ma.kr 651.

Republic of Iceland Repurchases EUR 204 Million of Its 2026 Bonds

The Republic of Iceland has successfully repurchased, for cancellation, EUR 203.7 million in nominal value of its outstanding 0.625% Eurobonds due 2026 (ISIN: XS2182399274), representing over 40% of the original EUR 500 million issue. The buyback was executed at a price of 98.81%, equivalent to approximately ISK 29 billion.

Arctic Security Policy Roundtable held in Iceland

The Arctic Security Policy Roundtable (ASPR) took place in Iceland from 21-22 May. Senior officials from the Ministries of Defence of the United States, Canada, and the Nordic nations, including representatives from the Faroe Islands and Greenland, attended the event.

Treasury issues Eurobond

The Republic of Iceland has successfully issued a €750 million Eurobond (ISK 109 billion equivalent) with a fixed coupon of 2.625% and a five-year maturity, priced at a re-offer yield of 2.672%. The proceeds will be used to strengthen the foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank of Iceland and to refinance existing Eurobonds.

Joint Statement on Palestine

Joint Statement on Palestine.

SACEUR visits Iceland

Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the U.S. European Command, met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and had meetings on defence issues with ministry officials during a brief visit to Iceland.

Ministry Confirms Domestic Joint Bookrunners for Upcoming Íslandsbanki Share Offering

As communicated by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, last Thursday, the framework for a public offering in Íslandsbanki hf. has been approved. The legal framework ensures that due consideration is given to objectivity, efficiency, equality, and transparency in the offering process. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that the entire process earns and maintains public trust.

Joint press statement from the Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders’ Summit

Joint press statement from the Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders’ Summit in Oslo on May 9 2025.

Ministry Confirms International Joint Bookrunners for Upcoming Íslandsbanki Share Offering

Yesterday, Alþingi approved amendments to the Act on the Disposition of the State’s Holding in Íslandsbanki hf. The offering is scheduled to take place during the first half of the year through a fully-marketed offering, with individuals given priority access.…

Alþingi approves Framework for Íslandsbanki Public Offering

Alþingi has today approved amendments to Act No. 80/2024 on the Disposal of the State’s Remaining Shares in Íslandsbanki hf. A fully marketed offering is planned for the first half of the year, with Icelandic individuals receiving priority access.…

Joint statement on the Israeli plan to expand its military operations in Gaza

Solicitation of expressions of interest for the role of bookrunner(s) in the upcoming offering of the State’s holding in Íslandsbanki hf.

On 23 June 2024, the Icelandic Parliament passed legislation authorising the sale of the State’s remaining shares in Íslandsbanki hf.

Popular course on security and defence issues concludes

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, concluded its fourth biannual course on security and defence issues last week.

Proposal by the IL Fund to amend the terms of HFF bonds approved by bondholders

On 10th of April, a meeting of bondholders of HFF34 and HFF44 was held. At the meeting, a proposal was put forward for an amendment to the terms of the bonds, which permits the issuer to settle the bonds by delivery of certain assets.…

UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran

Iceland’s first session as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2025-2027 concluded on 5 April.