Madame l’Ambassadeur, Mesdames et Messieurs, Chers amis.

Quel grand plaisir d’etre ic avec vous d’accueillir la station polaire Tara en Norvège – un symbole remarquable de l’ambition scientifique, l’innovation technologique et la coopération internationale, surtout dans ce cadre: L’amitie entre la France et la Norvege.

France’s legacy in Arctic exploration dates back nearly two centuries, to the La Recherche expedition in the 1830s. That pioneering journey to Svalbard left a lasting imprint on our geography – with the Recherche Glacier and Recherche Fjord still bearing its name – and on our cultural heritage.

Because the French brought artists alongside scientists, we are fortunate to have preserved stunning illustrations from that expedition, some of which now adorn the walls of the Science Centre in Longyearbyen. These images remind us of that science and beauty often travel together.

Today, with the launch of the Tara Polar Station, France once again brings your typical elegance and excellence to the Arctic. This drifting research base, designed to operate in the central Arctic Ocean until 2045, is a technological marvel – powered by carbon-free energy and equipped with cutting-edge instruments to study the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean ecosystems.

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Arctic research is crucial for Norway’s ability to oversee and govern our immense maritime areas. The transfer from ice covered to open ocean has significant impact on Norwegian fisheries and opens new resource-based business opportunities.

Understanding the climate change in the Arctic Ocean is also important for preparing societies around the world for the oncoming changes on the mainland.

In August this year, Pime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and I launched an ambitious new research program for arctic research. The program Arctic Ocean 2050 [ Polhavet 2050 in Norwegian] will be funded with NOK 1 billion over a period of 10 years, starting in 2026.

Arctic Ocean 2050 will be an important Norwegian contribution to the 5th International Polar Year in 2032-33. This is a unique arena for international cooperation on polar research, both in the Arctic and in the Antarctic.

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When talking about arctic research, we should always mention the importance of Svalbard. No other place in the Arctic can offer a research platform that has such readily accessible and well-developed research infrastructure as Svalbard. At the same time, the goal of preserving the area’s distinctive wilderness nature and local infrastructure sets limits in terms of scope and activity.

Research and higher education are key activities in Svalbard. All research activities are to take place in accordance with current Svalbard policy, and as the host of international research activities, Norwegian authorities have clear expectations of the research actors.

To strengthen the research management in Svalbard, we are establishing the Svalbard Science Office. It shall conduct a clear Norwegian research management in Svalbard by facilitating high quality research, coordinating research activities to reduce the impact on the vulnerable and pristine nature and achieve an even better overview of the development of research in Svalbard.

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To conclude, arctic research is of vital importance to Norway.

We are therefore deeply grateful to benefit from this French initiative. It strengthens our shared commitment to Arctic research and climate action. The Tara Polar Station promises to be a cornerstone for future collaboration – a platform where Norwegian and French scientists can work side by side to understand and protect the fragile Arctic environment.

This mission is not only a scientific endeavour; it is a statement of hope. It shows what we can achieve when nations combine their strengths – and it’s a very promising sign for the future of French Norwegian cooperation in the Arctic and beyond.

Merci de votre attention!