MARCH 8, 2024

Issue #8

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.

Women's rights are human rights – and gender equality is also smart economics. We cannot address today's global challenges in food security, conflicts, and climate change without full and equal participation from both women and men, girls and boys.

In a historic move in 2023, the Norwegian Government proposed that medium and large companies should have at least a 40 percent gender balance on their boards. These updated rules will be gradually introduced from 2024, and will eventually cover around 20,000 companies. Norway is the first country in the world to take this step.

However, gender equality, like all other issues, is a constant work in progress. Therefore, Norway has continued to further efforts toward a more gender-equal and inclusive world.

Norway's new action plan for women’s rights and gender equality in our foreign and development policy (2023-2030) outlines concrete measures that the country will take both internally and externally. It aims to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly Goal 5, on women’s rights and gender equality.

To read more about women's rights and gender equality in Norway, click here.

We were honored to host a reception in our Atlantic Hall on Monday, February 26, for the launch of the 2023-24 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index. These important rankings were developed by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS), in collaboration with Norwegian Peace Research Institute (PRIO).
 
Norwegian Ambassador Anniken Krutnes and Executive Director of GIWPS Melanne Verveer delivered insightful remarks, followed by a thought-provoking presentation and a Q&A with Elena Ortiz, GIWPS Research Manager for the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index and lead author of this year's report.
 
The WPS-Index ranks and scores 177 countries on the current status of women. It's a valuable measure that helps guide policymakers, governments, and academics to advance women's rights.
 

⚫ All of the Nordic countries rank among the top seven
 
⚫ Norway was one of the first countries to develop a National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security (back in 2006)
 
⚫ During Norway's recent Security Council term (2021-2022), WPS initiatives were one of our four thematic priorities.
 
Engaging discussions and delicious refreshments rounded out a successful evening focused on advancing women's inclusion, justice, and security.

Photo: WPS

Ambassador Krutnes was recently interviewed by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in an article focused on commercial diplomacy. The final section of the piece gives a brief overview of Norwegian trade policy.

In the interview, the ambassador explains, “Historically, facilitating trade and commercial relations in general has been a cornerstone of international diplomacy,” says Ambassador Krutnes. “This is probably truer than ever, since we can see that global trade is affected by geopolitical tensions, the climate crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic and national security concerns.”

To read more, click here.

Photo: BCIU

On Monday, March 4, we celebrated 10 years of Power Africa – a U.S.-led partnership convening the private sector, international development organizations, and governments from around the world to increase energy access and end energy poverty in Africa. 

Norway is grateful for our close relationship and cooperation with the United States. In being part of Power Africa since 2015, and by teaming up with USAID and other U.S. government agencies, Norway's foreign aid funding goes further and works better on a wide range of issues.

Thanks to all who participated!

Photo: Power Africa