Society & Policy

“Norway is shocked that Israeli naval forces have shot and killed civilians while boarding a convoy carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. I condemn this use of military force against civilians,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

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

Although there are those who have warned that increased activity and unresolved boundaries in the Arctic would raise tensions, developments in that region are bearing witness to just the opposite. Read more

The world’s largest wind turbine is to be built in Norway. Innovative technology will make the production of renewable energy far more efficient. Read more

At 8:30 pm 27 March 2010 Norway will plunge into darkness, joining in the world’s largest visual climate change campaign. Read more

The people of Norway chose Anette Sagen, Norway’s top woman ski jumper, to inaugurate the new Holmenkollen ski jump facility. Read more

“American Steven Holl’s latest project is a breath of fresh architectural air set just above the Arctic Circle,” wrote the journal Wallpaper about the new Hamsun Centre. Read more

Jan Egeland was elected today to co-chair the High-level Taskforce for the Global Framework for Climate Services, an international taskforce that is to compile and make available climate information. Read more

Have you seen them madly sweeping the ice dressed in their clown pants? The Norwegian men’s curling team has attracted widespread attention at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver thanks to its conspicuous attire. Read more

The UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund will this year provide one million dollars to projects led by young people aged 15-32 years who are piloting innovative approaches to employment, good governance, shelter and secure tenure. The UN-HABITAT is now calling for young people based in cities or towns from the developing world to apply for grants from the fund. The deadline for applications is April 15t... Read more

0n 16th of February, State Secretary Gry Larsen from the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Oslo officially opened the renovated Norwegian embassy in Cairo. Almost a year and half after the works started in 2008, the embassy building now presents itself as almost brand new. Read more

Norway has transferred NOK 240 million to the Palestinian Authority (PA), in accordance with its pledge made at the Paris Conference in December 2007. The funds have been provided to support implementation of the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan (PRDP). The support will enable the PA to maintain the services available to the Palestinian population in the areas of education, health and sa... Read more

At the Ice Music Festival in Geilo, the timing of the concerts is set by the moon and the music takes its resonance from the weather. Innovative use of nature’s own materials is front and centre at this one-of-a-kind music festival. Read more

Norway has much to offer tourists in the winter: snow, mountains, fjords and the unique culture of the Sámi people. We invited Audun Pettersen, one of the people most actively involved in Norway’s tourist industry, to tell us about some of the activities he would recommend. Read more

Norwegians like to think they are born with skis on their feet. But will their country’s illustrious history of polar expeditions and skiing innovations actually help Norwegian skiers to compete against the crème-de-la-crème at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver? And will Norway be rewarded once again for fair play? Read more

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

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. Read more

Norway’s Foreign Minister welcomes election of Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland to Council of Europe top position The President of the Norwegian Storting (Norwegian parliament) and the Norwegian Nobel Committee was today elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe by the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly. “On behalf of the government I wish to congratulate Mr. Jagland and thank both the members... Read more

The donor group for the Palestinian Authority (AHLC) today welcomed the political program of the Palestinian government for establishing a Palestinian state within the next two years. This plan will be an important platform for donor coordination with Palestinian authorities aimed at sustainable economic development and building the institutions of the future Palestinian state. Read more

Norway urges the parties in Sudan to respect the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to redraw the boundaries of the important oil region Abyei.  

• Norwegian musicians "in harmony" with Cairo Symphony Orchestra