Dear County Governor, members of parliament, reindeer herders, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here and attend the second World Congress at the Association of world Reindeer Herders.

As a state secretary for Saami and Minority Affairs in the Ministry of Local government and Regional Development in the Norwegian Government, I am co-responsible for the Norwegian reindeer policy. It is therefore very interesting to be here and listen to ideas how we may strengthen our efforts to ensure that we also in the future retain a sustainable reindeer herding.

I know there are lots of problems related to reindeer herding, due to worldwide modernization processes. Among else reindeer land is under pressure from urbanisation and industrial development. Preservation of the ecological fundament is of course of vital importance. That must always be at our agenda. But – within the scope of the new challenges, we also should see the possibilities in new markets and processing of reindeer products. We must not only see the problems.

If we look to the agricultural sector, the farmers in many countries are able to produce cheap meat. But, they don’t produce the exclusive reindeer meat. That is a fact, which should be mentioned and emphasized in a much larger extent than today. This is also an assurance that the indigenous peoples in the Artic and some other regions of the world still will be able to retain a viable livehood based on reindeer herding. The exclusivity of the products from the reindeer simply can’t be outmanoeuvred of more extensive agricultural production further south.

It is a vital objective to ensure a reindeer herding that is economical, ecological and cultural sustainable. Both the authorities and the organisations of the reindeer herders should make common efforts to increase the value of the reindeer products. I am proud to say that in Norway some common efforts have been taken.

The reindeer herders around the world live in small communities separated by long distances. This conference is therefore a great opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, experiences and thoughts of how to develop reindeer herding in a modernized world, and the authorities should listen very carefully to what has been expressed here.

Reindeer herding is a very important part of many indigenous cultures. To develop and maintain the base of these cultures is therefore also a part of our common efforts to protect the world’s common cultural heritage. The Norwegian Government is devoted to that task.

This conference represent a gathering of a unique experience and tradition from all over the Artic, and elsewhere, where reindeer herding has a history dating back to an early period of human settlement. I am absolutely confident that your efforts and recommendations will serve both as the best guidelines and the most qualified contribution of advice to the governmental systems in the different countries.

Our government has a close cooperation with the Norwegian Reindeer Herders Association, and we look forward to discuss with them how to promote the outcome and recommendations of this congress.

I herby want to express my best wishes to this conference. Thank you Mr. President.