Society & Policy

Monitoring the environment from the poles

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:52:38 GMT

Norway has established satellite stations to monitor global climate change from the poles. The stations in the Arctic and Antarctic will provide information on changes in the global climate more quickly than previous systems.

The Government will combat all forms of discrimination

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:52:24 GMT

Norway will play a proactive role in combating discrimination on grounds of gender, race and sexuality in development cooperation.

Norway’s Government is re-elected

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:04:59 GMT

On 14 September, the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party and Centre Party received the majority of votes in the national election, giving them a mandate to govern for another four-year period. “We will focus on securing jobs, renewing and improving the welfare society, and playing an active role in climate issues,” says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Norway steps up its response to climate change

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:52:33 GMT

Norway is at the forefront of efforts to secure reductions in CO2 emissions internationally, and has also set itself the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Foreign Policy Address to the Storting

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:52:04 GMT

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, delivered his Foreign Policy address to the Storting on 10 February 2009. The full text of the speech is available below in English and Arabic translation.

UN: Norway is the world's best place to live

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:52:52 GMT

For the fourth year in a row, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. The ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the polar ice

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:02:33 GMT

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the polar ice UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Svalbard in Norway’s Arctic region to view firsthand the impacts of climate change. Some hectic weeks are in store before the climate summit convenes in Copenhagen.

A milestone for the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:18:44 GMT

1 August 2010 marks a triumph for international humanitarian efforts as the Convention on Cluster Munitions enters into force.

A milestone for the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:23:43 GMT

1 August 2010 marks a triumph for international humanitarian efforts as the Convention on Cluster Munitions enters into force.

Program for Palestinian youth supported by Norway

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:25:21 GMT

In 2004 UNICEF started a life skills program to help the adolescents among the 100.000 Palestinians living in the refugee camps of Syria. The Norwegian government is pleased to be a significant contributor to this initiative.

Positive that Israel has decided to ease Gaza blockade

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:51:20 GMT

“It is positive that Israel has now decided to ease the blockade of Gaza. In my view, the blockade is counterproductive because it directly affects the civilian population and undermines the forces on the Palestinian side that are interested in peace. Moreover, it does not serve to enhance Israeli security,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway concerned over situation in East Jerusalem

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:01 GMT

“Norway is concerned about developments in East Jerusalem. The Palestinian population is subject to ever-increasing pressure,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norwegian proposal on protection of human rights defenders adopted

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:18:04 GMT

March 25th, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a Norwegian proposal on strengthening protection of human rights defenders all over the world.

Support of Oslo Commitments on Armed Violence

Wed, 19 May 2010 08:17:18 GMT

More than 60 countries agreed to concrete measures to address armed violence in Geneva on 12 May.