Iceland joins the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions

Iceland joins the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) on 1st June 2021 and becomes the third member government in the international consortium after initial founders Estonia and Finland. NIIS is developing digital government solutions for its members, including X-Road® for unified and secure data exchange between organisations.

Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) is a non-profit association with the mission to ensure the development and strategic management of X-Road® and other cross-border components for digital government infrastructure.

“Co-development has increased cost-effectiveness. It ensures quality, enables innovation and builds capacity for cross-border digital government infrastructure components. In addition, the joint institute enables multilateral international cooperation, which we are particularly pleased about today, as we are welcoming Iceland to NIIS as a new member” Finnish Minister of Local Government Ms Sirpa Paatero sums up some of the benefits of the cooperation.

X-Road is open-source software and an ecosystem solution that provides unified and secure data exchange between organisations. X-Road forms the national data exchange infrastructure of NIIS member countries that jointly finance the development of X-Road core technology and steer its development.

“X-Road has truly become an international solution, beyond the great foundation it provides for well-working and seamless digital public services and society in Estonia,” said Estonian Minister of Entrepreneurship and IT, Mr Andres Sutt.

“We are also glad to see NIIS grow, especially with Iceland as another Nordic country joining. As the name hints, the rationale behind NIIS has been from the start that we would join forces in Nordics as a world’s leading digital region to build the best possible digital government together,” added Minister Sutt.

Since 2018, Iceland has participated in NIIS working groups and contributed to the development of X-Road. Iceland is currently implementing X-Road and aims to make digital services available through the national data exchange ecosystem Straumurinn.

“Iceland aims to be one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to digital services and joining NIIS with Finland and Estonia is an important step in that direction. Together these countries can become global leaders when it comes to e-government infrastructures and cross border digital services. We are very proud to join forces with NIIS.” Mr Bjarni Benediktsson, Icelandic Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs says.