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The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples

The UN General Assembly adopted a joint declaration on indigenous peoples on 13. September 2007. The declaration was drawn up in close collaboration between states and various indigenous groups.

Nordic Sami Convention

Norway, Sweden and Finland have concluded negotiations on a Nordic Sami Convention. The negotiating leaders initialled the negotiated text of the convention on 13 January 2017. The proposal is now being considered by the Sami parliaments and the

The use of the Sámi language in the public administration

Active and wider use of the Sámi language is a very important element in the further development of Sámi culture. Similarly, it is also important that the Sámi language is used in the public context.

Other political staff

Department of Indigenous and National Minority Affairs

Department of Indigenous and National Minority Affairs is tasked with implementing and following up the Government's objectives in the policy towards the Sami population and the national minorities: Jews, Kven /Norwegian Finns, Roma, Forest Finns

Director General Bjørn Olav Megard

Subordinate agencies

The Department of Adminstrative Affairs

The overall objective of the Department of Adminstrative Affairs is to ensure the efficient operation and administration of the Ministry. The Department provide support to the political leadership and Secretary General, and to the other departments

Director General Beate Erikstad

Report of the Commission on Local Democracy in Norway - Summary

About the Credibility of the Register

If a municipality or a county municipality is registered in the Register for State Review and Approval of Financial Obligations, resolutions to raise loans or to enter long-term renting contracts are not valid until approved by the County Governor

Consequences for registered municipalities and county municipalities

Consequences for registered municipalities and county municipalities For registered municipalities and county municipalities, the following resolutions are not valid until approved by either the County Governor or the Ministry: A resolution to raise

The Local Government Act § 60

§ 60. State review and approval of financial obligations 1. Any resolution to raise a loan or any resolution to enter into a long-term contract for the renting of buildings, installations and permanent operating equipment that may cause the

Procedures for Consultations between State Authorities and The Sami Parliament [Norway]

As an indigenous people, the Sami have the right to be consulted in matters that may affect them directly. In order to ensure that work on matters that may directly affect the Sami is carried out in a satisfactory manner, the Government and the

The Statistical Reports Committee for county and municipal government finance

The Statistical Reports Committee for county and municipal government finance is a permanent committee composed of representatives from the relevant ministries, local government authorities and Statistics Norway (the Norwegian Central Bureau of

The Times they are a-changing - a new European narrative on the adaptability of small places

November 28. 2025 at 10:00 - 15:00 in Nationaltheateret konferansesenter Haakon VIIs g. 9, Oslo, Norway

Lista: a unique landscape and partnership

Film about the landscape and activities at Lista. Lista is the norwegian candidate for the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe.

Planning

The Planning and Building Act is a tool for safeguarding the public interest and managing land use. Planning pursuant to the Act shall ensure sustainable development for the whole country and that it is open to all to take part in decisions that

Departments

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development currently consists of eight specialised departments with responsibility for specific policy areas, a department of administrative affairs and a communication unit.

The ILO Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The main principle in ILO Convention no. 169 on indigenous peoples and tribal peoples in independent countries is the right of indigenous peoples to further develop their culture and the authorities’ obligation to initiate measures to support this

Election observation

The purpose of election observation is to determine whether the election and the electoral process are in compliance with national and international legislation and other universal principles for democratic elections.