Over the last few years, the state of our oceans has been a cause of growing concern to Norway. The recent establishment of a multi-donor trust fund to address marine litter and the Norwegian contribution to the new Initiative on Ocean Business Leadership are strong indicators. In meetings with Nikolai Astrup, Minister for International Development, and Vidar Helgesen, Norway’s first Ambassador for Ocean, I presented an update on our efforts to launch a Global Plastics Partnership and other synergies in the areas of marine litter. I am confident that UN Environment’s increased cooperation with Norway will support our work.
I also signed a memorandum of understanding with the CEO of the Norwegian Plastic fund to help us fight plastic pollution. I also held meetings with key players in the private sector including the CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management and the Manager of Norway ́s Sovereign Wealth Fund, Yngve Slyngstad.
I also met with the Minister of foreign affairs Ine Marie Søreide together with UN Environment Patron for the Polar regions Slava Fetisov to present our ideas on the last game at the North Pole, to draw attention to the devastating impacts of climate change on this part of the region. I also discussed in detail, the initiative with our partners GRID Arendal.
Finally, I visited Arendalsuka, Norway's largest meeting place for politics, business and society. I spoke at several events to bring attention to the challenges of marine litter, climate change and circular economy. I joined former Norwegian Prime Minister Kåre Willoch in a public conversation on the “big topics of our time”.
