Members of the British-Irish Council have arranged practical co-operation in a range of areas, including tourism and health, according to the body's first report.
The body, set up in 1999 under the Belfast Agreement, has continued to meet, despite the suspension of the Northern Ireland executive in October 2002.
The report describes the work of the body, whose members include representatives from the Irish and British governments and from the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
In addition to tourism and health, the report outlines work in the areas of drug misuse, the environment, social inclusion, the knowledge economy, transport and indigenous and lesser-used languages.
Welcoming the report, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said the council provided an excellent forum in which members could learn from each other. "I have no doubt that all British-Irish Council members have benefited from this common transfer of knowledge and expertise and will continue to do so in future," Mr Ahern said.
"This sharing of information reinforces the strong economic, social and cultural links which already exist between us."
Set up to promote tighter relationships between Ireland and Britain in the light of the peace process, the body said its work provided an historic opportunity to develop relations in practical ways.
On health, the body is examining the use of information technology in the delivery of services in rural and remote communities.
The report said a council working group was examining the promotion of "telemedicine" and "e-health" standards.
The body was advancing the exchange of information on the use of technology in the area of health, such as medical consultations by video link.
