Photo: The White HousePresident Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, which he received in Oslo on 10 December. Photo: The White House
News and events //

During a ceremony in Oslo on 10 December, President Barack Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

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Welcome ceremony
Photo: Lise Åserud/Scanpix
News and events // 03/12/2009 //

The State Visit to South Africa started on the 24th November with an official welcome ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and came to an end on the 26th November with a press conference at Zeekovlei Yacht Club outside Cape Town. The Royal couple were accompanied by Government Ministers, senior officials and over a hundred business people representing over 70 Norwegian companies.

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 Norwegian Foreign Minister Støre and former US Vice President Al Gore present report on melting ice at climate summit
Photo: Tomas Solli/DSS
News and events // 01/02/2010 //

For the first time ever, leading international scientists have drawn up a report on the status of the parts of the world covered by snow and ice. The conclusion is that they are disappearing faster than anticipated. “This is disturbing news. The world’s leaders must reach an agreement that ensures dramatic cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases,” commented Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr S...

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Jonas Gahr Støre
Photo: Petter Foss/MFA Norway
News and events // 09/12/2009 //

“We want to show our strong commitment to UN humanitarian efforts at a difficult time,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, commenting on Norway’s contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and a new multi-year cooperation agreement with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

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Human rights review in Genèva
Photo: DSS
News and events // 07/12/2009 //

“Demanding, stimulating and challenging” were Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s description of the three-hour review of the human rights situation in Norway in Geneva Wednesday 2 December. This was the first time Norway was examined under the UN’s new system of Universal Periodic Reviews of member states’ national efforts to respect and ensure human rights.

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News and events // 25/11/2009 //

Demonstrating its intention to adopt a more trade-oriented stance in its relations with South Africa, the Norwegian government has invited more than 100 business representatives from over 70 companies to participate in this week's State Visit by Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja.

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Sasol - Gassnova
Photo: Lise Åserud/Scanpix
News and events // 10/12/2009 //

A significant milestone during the state visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South African Sasol and Norwegian Gassnova SF at the Union Buildings in the presence of President Jacob Zuma and His Majesty King Harald V.

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News and events // 07/12/2009 //

Norway has decided to increase emergency relief to Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia because of the drought. At the same time it is important to increase food security.

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Meeting with businessdelegation
Photo: Børge Jomås/Innovasjon Norge
News and events // 08/12/2009 //

During the State Visit from, several business seminars were held both in Cape Town and in Johannesburg. From Norway, more than 100 business representatives from over 70 companies made their way to South Africa to meet with around 500 South African counterparts. Five major themes were covered, and some of the immediate outcomes will be discussed below.

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