Denmark and Norway were founding members of the United Nations in 1945, Iceland and Sweden joined a year later, 1946 and Finland in 1955.  The five Nordic countries are a part of the so-called Western-Europe and others group at the United Nations.

In addition to their formal cooperation at the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of ministers, the Nordic countries consult each other on global issues at regular meetings of prime ministers and foreign ministers. The Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva also have regular meetings.