Search

Forest seed destined for Svalbard

For the first time forest tree seeds are officially deposited and stored in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Sylvi Listhaug together with her Swedish and Danish colleagues Sven-Erik Bucht and Dan Jørgensen, carried the first boxes of Nordic forest tree seeds in to the vault today. This is an important contribution to the conservation of genetic resources.

Animated short film about Svalbard Global Seed Vault - Crop diversity is precious

Norway and Australia to cooperate on JSM-development

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Australian Department of Defence have agreed to cooperate on the development of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following talks between Norwegian State Secretary Mr. Øystein Bø and his Australian colleague Mr. Stuart Robert during the Norwegian State visit to Australia this week. The agreement seeks to support the introduction of an advanced maritime strike weapon on the F-35 in the early 2020's time frame.

- The European energy union is important to Norway

The European Commission today presented a communication on a European energy union. The aim is to ensure secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy for citizens and businesses.

Speech by Øystein Bø at the State Visit to Australia

Keynot speech by deputy Minister of Defence of Norway Øystein Bø at a seminar February 23rd 2015 by Innovation Norway in Australia, in cooperation with the Defence and Security Industries Association of Norway and the Australian Industry Group Defence Council.

By State Secretary Øystein Bø

Carbon funds receive good response to the second call for proposals

NEFCO has been assigned by the Government of Norway to manage a global carbon procurement facility to procure Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Director General Kjetil Moen

Department of Child Welfare Services

E-mail Kjetil.Moen@bld.dep.no

Phone +47 982 12 331

Norway concerned about situation in Venezuela

‘I am very concerned about the situation in Venezuela following the arrest of Antonio Ledezma, the Mayor of Caracas. It is crucial that the Venezuelan authorities now ensure a prompt and impartial legal process for all the arrested members of the opposition in line with the principles of the rule of law,’ commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Speech at  Australia National Maritime Museum

'We want healthy oceans for the sake of future generations, and we are strongly committed to conserving the unique Antarctic environment. I look forward to working with Australia on these crucial matters in the years ahead', said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende in his speech at Australia National Maritime Museum.

Why a country outside the EU thinks an EU member state should not leave

' When we make choices about the future of Europe, it is worth considering what political forces will see themselves served by a weaker Europe and a weaker EU. British leadership is needed to help Europe counter such forces and emerge stronger, more free and more prosperous', said Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen in his speech at British Influence in London.

By Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen

Pictures

These pictures of Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide can be used by media with creditation Norwegian Ministry of Defence. Press the pictures for high resolution downloads.

"Strengthening and renewing our Armed Forces for the future – hard choices and dilemmas"

Annul address to Oslo Militære Samfund, 9 February 2015, from Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide. "Strengthening and renewing our Armed Forces for the future – hard choices and dilemmas". Original title in Norwegian: «Et forsterket og fornyet forsvar for fremtiden – vanskelige valg og dilemmaer».

By Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide

Why Britain should not leave the EU to be like Norway

'When we make decisions about the future of Europe, we need to bear in mind the political forces that are likely to benefit from a weaker Europe and a weaker EU. There can be no doubt that more British influence is better for Europe than less', writes Vidar Helgesen, Norwegian Minister of EEA and EU Affairs.

By Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen

South Sudan must establish a transitional government of national unity

The final round of peace negotiations aimed at establishing a transitional government of national unity for South Sudan by 9 July was formally opened in Addis Ababa today. ‘The parties to the conflict must use this round of negotiations to work out the necessary compromises and agree on the establishment of a government of national unity,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Contact Information

Seed-Vault_logo_ENG-300.jpg Ministry of Agriculture and Food Contact: Grethe Helene Evjen, senior adviser Tel. +47 93 28 79 53 Email: grethe-helene.evjen@lmd.dep.no Press contact: Heidi Eriksen Riise, Senior Adviser Tel. +47 97 51 72 27 Email:

More about the physical plant

What does it look like? How big is it? How cold is it? What does it look like inside? Who built it? Who is the architect? What is the theme of the artwork? Who is the artist?

Seeds remain depositors' property

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was established and is fully funded by the Norwegian government, with the responsibility for operations assigned to The Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Ministry coordinates daily operation with the Nordic Gene Resource Centre and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and receives guidance from a dedicated international council established to advise the Seed Vault. Based on the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources and the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provides important international backing.

A global backstop

The vault hold the seeds of many tens of thousands of varieties of essential food crops such as beans, wheat and rice. In total, the vault now holds seeds of more than 4000 plant species. These seed samples are duplicates of seed sample stores in national, regional and international gene banks.

Norway condemns kidnapping of schoolchildren in South Sudan

‘I am shocked by the reports that at least 89 school boys have been kidnapped in South Sudan. The schoolboys must be released immediately and those responsible must be held accountable,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Education for the future

'If we are to achieve the goals we have to bring in the voice of youth in the discussion on how to build education for the future. I am very much looking forward to your comments and advise on this important topic', said State Secretary Hans Brattskar in his speech at Harvard Graduate School.

By State Secretary Hans Brattskar