The world’s most important political meeting place

The high-level week of the UN General Assembly will take place from 19–24 September 2022. This is the world’s most important political meeting place, and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is leading Norway’s delegation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, and Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide will also be participating.

‘Norway firmly believes in global cooperation. Norway’s efforts to promote dialogue, peace and development are needed now more than ever,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

The world is currently facing more uncertainty and unpredictability than we have experienced previously. The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident. The pandemic has had serious repercussions and is still ongoing in many parts of the world. Humanitarian challenges are greater than ever. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Democratic values are being threatened.  

‘No country on its own can solve the crises the world is facing. The various global challenges are intertwined; they affect and compound each other. Promoting respect for international law and international cooperation is the only way forward,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.  

Norwegian policy is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the climate targets and the international human rights instruments.

‘It is important to make it clear that Norway takes the economic challenges the world is now facing very seriously, and that we will continue to devote attention to what is happening outside Europe,’ said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim. 

‘International cooperation is essential if we are to succeed in addressing the climate and environmental crisis,’ said Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide.

Tightly-packed programme

During the high-level week, Prime Minister Støre will, among other things, chair a meeting of the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, participate in a launch event for a global alliance that is seeking to accelerate renewable energy transitions in developing countries, and deliver Norway’s main address to the UN General Assembly. He will also have meetings with other heads of government and representatives of international organisations.  

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt will chair a meeting of the international donor group for Palestine (AHLC), take part in a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, and meet foreign ministers from a range of other countries.

Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim will participate in the UN Transforming Education Summit and will co-host a meeting on food security.

Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide will chair a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, and has convened a meeting, together with the US, to discuss an international alliance to combat environmental crime. Norway is also participating in a biodiversity summit as part of the lead-up to the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15).

There will also be a wide variety of meetings with other countries and organisations, including with other members of the Security Council and various stakeholders in efforts relating to peace diplomacy; protection of civilians; the women, peace and security agenda; and climate change and security. In addition, Norway will have meetings with representatives of countries that are on the Security Council agenda and countries, particularly from the Global South, that we not meet directly with very often.

A daily report summarising the most important meetings will be published each day of the high-level week. Many of the General Assembly meetings will also be streamed online and will be accessible to everyone.

Norway’s main priorities for the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (Instructions for the Norwegian delegation) can be found here.