Speeches and statements

How to Prevent Total Disaster in South Sudan

'After half a year of fighting, the world's newest country is barreling toward calamity. But its leaders can pull it back from the brink -- if they choose to do so', write Rajiv Shah, Valerie Amos, Kristalina Georgieva and Børge Brende in an

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende

Statement on the situation in the Middle East

'Since our last meeting, the developments in the Middle East give cause for deep concern. For the fourth time in the seven years since Hamas took control over the Gaza Strip, violence has flared up and inflicted an intolerable toll on civilians',

By Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith

Address at Girl Summit 2014

'The Norwegian government is strongly committed to the fight against FGM (female genital mutilation), and child marriage, early and forced marriage, at home and in our international engagement', said State Secretary Hans Brattskar in his address at

Opening of Euro Pride

Good evening to all of you. A special welcome to our international guests! I am happy and proud to take part in the opening of Euro Pride 2014 and Pride House! After all it is this summer’s most beautiful fairytale in Oslo. As you all probably

Speech at CISV summer camp

Check against delivery Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak to you. I hope you are having a great time here in Norway. I would like to start out by asking you a question: Have you ever found that things don’t work out exactly

General Debate Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

'While shaping the post-2015 development agenda, we must not forget that our most immediate priority is to achieve the current Millennium Development Goals before the end of 2015', Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende said in his speech in New

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende

Women in Parliament

Check against delivery Your Excellency President Paul Kagame, Speaker of the Chamber of deputies, Members of Parliament, Ministers, Members of Women in Parliament’s Global Forum, Fellow members of the Millennium Advocacy Group, Ladies and Gentlemen

By Prime Minister Erna Solberg

Speech at Nthulu Primary School

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, and especially all you schoolchildren I would like to thank you all for welcoming us so warmly to Nthulu Primary School today. A special thanks to the school management and to all the learners who have shared

By Prime Minister Erna Solberg

PMNCH Partner Forum

Check against delivery Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen We are meeting here in Johannesburg for a common purpose. Together we are part of a global drive to prevent the deaths of millions of people every year, and to lay the foundation for

By Prime Minister Erna Solberg

Education is a powerful weapon, so let’s arm young girls with it

Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway is co-chair of the UN secretary general's MDG Advocates Group. Graça Machel is the founder of the Graça Machel Trust and member of the UN secretary general's MDG Advocates Group In 1990, the Italian World Cup

By Prime Minister Erna Solberg

Resource mobilisation for the Green Climate Fund

'We have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change. This is costly, and climate finance must be made available to developing countries so that they can address these needs', Foreign Minister Børge

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende

Security in the High North – Norwegian Perspectives

The Henry Bacon Breakfast Seminar, June 26, Washington

By Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide

Intervention at the Third Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention

- The Mine Ban Convention has been a tremendous success. When it was negotiated and adopted in 1997, it was an appropriate response from the international community to a global humanitarian crisis caused by landmines in general, and antipersonnel

“NATO in an Era of Global Competition” - A Norwegian perspective

Atlantic Council Conference, June 25th 2014, Washington DC

By Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide

Opening speech Pride Park in Oslo

Check against delivery Welcome to Oslo! ‘Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard,’ said Harvey Milk – the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. You make your voices heard. It’s hard to imagine what

EEA and Norway Grants post-2014

'Pleased to welcome you to this consultation on the shaping of the future of the EEA and Norway Grants, which are an instrument for solidarity and cooperation in Europe', said Minister Vidar Helgesen at a high level round table about how to

By Former Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Vidar Helgesen

Remarks at the Our Ocean Conference

'We depend on the ecosystems of the world for our survival. We need to ensure that the oceans of the world are managed responsibly. This conference is an important step in that direction,' Foreign Minister Børge Brende said in his remarks at the Our

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende

Use of explosive weapons in populated areas

Checked against delivery It is a pleasure to, on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to welcome you all to this expert meeting on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. We appreciate the participation of a group of

Address at the conference Preventing Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict

- If we are to fight this problem successfully, a strong mutual commitment is needed. In this respect, the people of Somalia - in particular the girls and women -deserve our long-term support, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Børge Brende, in his

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende

Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict

'It is a priority for the Norwegian Government to include a gender perspective and prevention of sexual violence in all our humanitarian assistance. This will be a priority goal in our new strategic plan for the women, peace and security agenda',

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende