NOK 1.2 billion for efforts in the High North for 2011

The High North is the most important strategic priority in Norwegian foreign policy.  This is why the Government has proposed an allocation of NOK 1.2 billion for various High North projects for next year, in line with the strategy document New Building Blocks in the North. “The Government is giving priority to important projects in the High North. And we are providing the funding to deliver on our promises,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

The allocation for mapping geological resources in the north, which could form the basis for extraction of minerals, is to be increased by NOK 25 million, and NOK 20 million is to be allocated to the recently opened Fram centre for research on the environment and climate change in Tromsø. In addition, the Government has proposed an allocation of NOK 20 million for the establishment of BarentsWatch, a joint surveillance and early warning system for the Barents Sea, NOK 45 million for the establishment of a new polar research programme under the Research Council of Norway, and NOK 10 million for a new meteorological radar at Gednje on Varangerhalvøya. The new radar will make it easier to forecast dangerous weather conditions, and thus improve safety for fishing vessels and the increasing maritime traffic along the coast towards Russian waters.

“Our aim is that Norway should continue to be at the forefront of knowledge development on the High North and the Arctic. The budget proposal will help to strengthen Norwegian activities and presence in the High North as well as our knowledge of the region,” said Mr Støre.

The Government has proposed an allocation of NOK 349 billion under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget for various cooperation programmes/action plans in the High North, including with Russia. This is an increase of NOK 48.8 compared with 2010.

“We hope and believe that the increased allocation will encourage actors in the north to present good project proposals. Priority will be given to projects in the areas of health, the environment, education and research,” Mr Støre pointed out. 

The budget proposal entails the continuation of several important projects. These include NOK 54 million for follow-up of national efforts in the field of marine bioprospecting, and NOK 52 million for mapping the seabed under the MAREANO programme. MAREANO is generating vital knowledge that will help the authorities to facilitate various business activities. The mapping of the seabed from the Lofoten islands to the Russian border will be completed in 2014 on the basis of the present level of funding.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ budget proposal for 2011 gives a full presentation of the Government’s increased allocations for High North efforts.