HRH The Crown Prince and Minister of International Development to visit Tonga, Fiji and Samoa

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen Norway’s partnership with South Pacific island states, with a view to promoting common interests in the UN and in areas of international cooperation, for example the oceans and climate change, and peace and security.

Small island states are playing an increasingly important role in the international efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and implement the Paris Agreement. Norway and the Pacific small island states have a common interest in ensuring the sustainability of the oceans and dealing with the challenges posed by climate change. Norway is actively involved and playing a leading role in international efforts relating to the climate and oceans. This visit provides an opportunity to strengthen Norway’s cooperation with the Pacific small island states, which have a particularly strong interest in issues relating to climate change and the oceans.

Crown Prince Haakon and Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein will meet heads of state and government in the three countries, including HM The King of Tonga. They will also meet representatives of civil society groups, educational institutions, the sports and cultural sectors, and the UN and other international organisations. Crown Prince Haakon will, among other things, speak to students at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji about sustainable development, the oceans, and climate change. The programme for the visit will also focus on the three countries’ efforts to adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels, and on their work to ensure sustainable oceans and combat marine pollution. Crown Prince Haakon and Mr Ulstein will meet students from the region, take part in rugby training, and visit areas that are directly affected by rising sea levels.

Press contacts
The Royal Court
Assistant Head of Communications Sven G. Gjeruldsen, e-mail: sven.gjeruldsen@slottet.no mobile phone: +47 908 26 849.

For the Minister of International Development
Deputy Director Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde, e-mail: Ane.Haavardsdatter.Lunde@mfa.no mobile phone: +47 976 71 250.