Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here in Ny-Ålesund today together with some of the world's leading researchers on climate change. In particular, I will like to welcome the chairman of the IPCC, Dr. Pachauri. It is an honour to have you with us today.

"Climate change is probably the single most important long-term issue we face as a global community".

These words are not mine. Nor do they come from a Minister of the Environment or an environmental organisation. The words belong to my colleague, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. During their Presidency of G8 in this year, the UK has identified climate change as one of their top priorities and as a key challenge to the world's rich nations in the years ahead.

I indeed share Mr. Blair's concern. We know that our climate is changing. Over the past century average global temperatures have risen by 0.7º Celsius – and the 10 warmest years on record have all been since 1990. It's the fastest rise in temperatures in the northern hemisphere for a thousand years. There is now scientific consensus that human activities have a considerable impact on this warming.

We can already see the consequences of climate change all around the world. In March this year, Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, was observed without its characteristic snow and glacier peak – probably for the for the first time in over 11.000 years. Scientists have warned that Kilimanjaro's ice-cap is likely to disappear completely by 2020. And without "the snows on Kilimajaro" the African continent will loose one of its most spectacular landmarks and tourist attractions.

From our own region's A CIA report we know that climate change is already happening at an alarming rate in the Arctic. Many of those present here today have given valuable contributions to this report. As politicians we have received your conclusions with great concern.

Arctic average temperature has risen at almost twice the rate as the rest of the world in the past few decades. Glaciers throughout the Arctic are melting. The average extent of sea-ice cover in summer has declined by 15-30% over the past 30 years. This decline is expected to accelerate in the years to come, with devastating consequences for polar bears, ice-dependent seals, and local people for whom these animals are a primary food source.

This spring we have also experienced another consequence of climate change in the Arctic region: The ozone layer above the Arctic is the thinnest ever measured. Due to the effect of greenhouse gases on stratospheric temperatures, the current generation of arctic people is likely to receive a lifetime dose of UV-radiation that is 30% higher than any prior generation. Increased risk of skin cancer and immune system disorders are likely to be the effects.

These and other changes we see the Arctic provide early indications of the environmental and social significance of global warming. We know that changes in the Arctic will affect the world's climate. And we also know that the poorest countries with least resources to adapt are likely to face the most dramatic consequences. In this century, more than a hundred thousand people in developing countries might become "climate refugees" as a result of sea level rise. Many regions will experience more "extreme weather". Desertification will continue. Climate-related diseases will become more common.

The industrialised countries have the main responsibility for causing climate change. But the developing countries will pay the highest price when it comes to its effects. This also makes climate change a matter of solidarity and shared responsibilities.

Climate change therefore calls for global solutions. No country or region can meet the challenge alone. It can only be solved through broad international co-operation. The Kyoto Protocol, which took effect earlier this year, is an important first step. But it is not enough. Far more ambitious climate regimes are needed.

Norway's position in the international climate negotiations is clear: we want to start real negotiations about future climate commitments now. And we want the post-Kyoto regime to be as comprehensive and ambitious as possible. Together with the EU and others, we are doing all we can to bring reluctant countries such at the Unites States and Australia back to the negotiation table. We are also looking for ways to engage large emitters among the developing countries, such as India and China. The challenge is to reduce the growth in their emissions of greenhouse gases at the same time as they continue their economic growth.

Future international climate agreements have to be based on solid scientific foundation. All countries in the Arctic Region have a special responsibility to continue observation and research activities in relation to climate change and its effects in this particularly vulnerable region. As cornerstones in the global network of stations for atmospheric observations, the monitoring and research stations here in Ny-Ålesund are fundamental for this work.

So, once again, it is a great pleasure for me to be here in Ny-Ålesund and to open this seminar. It is indeed an urgent issue you will discuss today.

Thank you all for your attention and good luck with the seminar!