May 3, 2024

Issue #12

We hope you enjoy this brief look into recent developments in Norway and at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. If you are not subscribed but would like to be, please add your contact information to our Google Form. We also recommend following our social media accounts (links above).

Cover art: Haakon Lundkvist, VisitNorthwest.no.

On Monday, April 29, Ambassador Anniken Krutnes participated in the Atlantic Council's "Back-to-Business Birthday," a day that focused on priorities for the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington. This year is particularly special because it marks NATO's 75th anniversary.

For the event, the Ambassador joined Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova and Atlantic Council President/CEO Frederick Kempe for a fireside chat on "The Importance of Supporting Ukraine ahead of the Washington Summit." She particularly emphasized the need for partners and allies to step up support for Ukraine.

To view the full program, click here. The fireside chat begins at 59:42.

Thank you to Ambassador Markarova, and to the Atlantic Council for organizing this timely and interesting seminar! 

Photo: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Norway has pledged up to NOK 1 billion ($92 million) to continue its development program to combat marine litter and microplastics over a period of four years. Norway is one of the largest bilateral donors supporting measures to lower plastic pollution, and this program has proven to both reduce and prevent the problem in developing countries.

Minister of Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim commented, "If we don’t take action now, plastic pollution will double over the next 20 years. This new allocation of funding will help to keep that from happening."

To read more, click here.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Several Embassy employees recently visited New Orleans for the Oceantic Network's International Partnering Forum (IPF) – the premier offshore wind energy conference in the Americas.

While there, the Ambassador took part in a discussion entitled "How Transatlantic Government Partnerships Are Maximizing Offshore Wind Opportunities." In addition to the Ambassador, the panel consisted of Maine Governor Janet Mills, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Elizabeth Klein, and British Consul General in Houston Richard Hyde. It was moderated by Burns & McDonnell's Tony Appleton.

The group spoke about progress, challenges, and how we can best incorporate offshore wind projects now and into the future. Ambassador Krutnes noted how world-class Norwegian companies are contributing or are ready to contribute to the clean energy goals of U.S. states, all while building capacity and creating jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Photo: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, May 2, the Norwegian Embassy held a panel discussion in honor of World Press Freedom Day (May 3). The event was held in cooperation with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association, the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association, and Congressional Black Associates.

Our moderator was Jesse Holland (School of Media and Public Affairs, GWU), and our panelists were Fin Gómez (CBS News), Vivian Salama (Wall Street Journal), and Anders Tvegård (NRK). They underlined the necessity of maintaining a free press in today's world, exemplified by journalists such as Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since March 2023. They also emphasized the dangers of denying journalists access to a particular area, as is currently the case in Gaza. The panel was followed by a garden reception.

Today, we learned that – for the eighth year in a row – Norway has ranked #1 in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index. We congratulate our Nordic neighbors, who all ranked within the top 20.

Photo: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Yesterday, our interns hosted a Nordic Intern Gathering, bringing Danish, Finnish, and Swedish interns to the Norwegian Embassy. It was their second gathering this spring, following an equally successful event at the Finnish Embassy.

The aim was to build networks, exchange experiences, and gain insights into fellow Nordic nations’ priorities. The group also had some delicious Norwegian waffles with brown cheese while enjoying the beautiful D.C. weather.

Photo: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Norwegian outdoor brand Norrøna opened in Boston, MA, this week. The new shop – located at 349 Newbury Street – will be a meeting place for anyone interested in outdoor and mountain sports, or who values sustainable, innovative, and high-quality products.

"Without nature, there is no us. This principle and attitude is deeply rooted in Norwegian DNA," says fourth-generation owner and CEO Jørgen Jørgensen. He has set CO2 neutrality as the goal for the company's 100th anniversary in 2029.

Photo: Norrøna