Press Releases

From 12 to 15 December Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is visiting the South Pole to mark the centenary of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team reaching the Pole in 1911, and to underline the importance of the Antarctic continent in relation to global climate change.

More than 150 countries and a wide range of organisations have reached agreement on a common framework for development cooperation at the high-level forum in South Korea. For the first time, China, India and Brazil are also on board.

“Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman are each in their own right worthy winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Government welcomes the award of this year’s prize to these three women. It is recognition of women’s non-violent efforts to promote peace and democracy,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway launched an international energy and climate partnership in support of the UN Secretary-General’s initiative “Sustainable Energy for All” on October 10th. The Partnership aims to ensure access to sustainable energy for all and avoid greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Norwegian support for the telecom sector was central on the agenda when the Norwegian ambassador Ragne Birte Lund met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 15th.

The Norwegian Government has allocated NOK 27.8 billion for development in poor countries in 2012. This is a record high aid budget. Efforts on climate change, renewable energy and agriculture will be intensified.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg commented, “This is an important recognition of the role they have played in ensuring women’s safety and right to participate in peace-building work. Women’s participation is crucial in promoting peace and preventing conflict.”

“The national memorial ceremony is being held to commemorate the dead, support each other and thank all those who helped both during and after the attacks on the government offices in Oslo and Utøya,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Seventy-seven lives were lost in the horrific attacks.

The Prime Minister's speech at the press conference Saturday 23 July at 08:00.

“If one man can show so much hatred, imagine how much love we can show together.” So said a young woman who lost friends on the island of Utøya during the attacks of Friday 22 July. The quote has been widely embraced by survivors, families and political leaders in Norway.