Obama receives Nobel Peace Prize

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.

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...

“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).

“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.