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New seeds to Svalbard vault enhances global food security

Some 22 000 new seed samples from 10 gene banks in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East and Europe will be deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on 14 February 11:00 CET.

Only people with symptoms should get tested

The Norwegian Government is no longer advising household members and corresponding close relations to get tested after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Now adults should only get tested if they develop symptoms, while children in

People with COVID-19 may be birth partners and visit people who are seriously ill

People with COVID-19 may be birth partners and visit seriously ill family who are in hospital. It must be possible to organise visits in accordance with COVID-19 precautions, and they must be agreed with the ward.

The infection control measures are being removed on Saturday 12 February

The Norwegian Government is removing all regulatory measures against COVID-19, including the requirement to wear a face covering, keep a 1-metre distance, and the duty to go into isolation when people are sick. Some rules for Svalbard are being kept

Major initiative to promote offshore wind power

The Government has announced plans to implement phase one of wind power production in the area of Sørlige Nordsjø II. The electricity produced from these wind farms will be transmitted via subsea cable to the Norwegian mainland. The goal is to

Threat assessments for the year set out

Today the Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Norwegian Police Security Service and the National Security Authority presented their public threat and risk assessments for 2022.

Norway steps up assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA)

‘I am deeply concerned about UNRWA’s financial situation. UNRWA plays a key role in ensuring that the rights and basic needs of Palestine refugees are met and promoting stability in the Middle East. This is why Norway is now increasing its funding

Global Disability Summit 16–17 February 2022

Norway, Ghana, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) will co-host the Global Disability Summit 2022 on Wednesday 16 February from 14:00-17:00 and Thursday 17 February from 14:00-17:30. The summit will be held on a digital platform and will

New state secretaries

In today’s Council of State, The King has appointed state secretary Erling Emil Laugsand as acting state secretary to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, in the period that state secretary Anne Marie Aanerud settles parental leave, effective as of 21

Troika statement on Sudan 11 February

The Troika, Canada, Switzerland, and the European Union are alarmed by the February 9 arrests and detentions of several high-profile political figures in Sudan, they said in a statement.

New ambasadors from Bosnia-Hercegovina, Australia and Rwanda

Three new ambassadors to Norway presented their letters of credence to His Majesty King Harald V on 10 February 2022.

Greeetings to Bergen international literary festival

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt's greetings to Bergen international literary festival.

By Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt Bergen, 9 February

Statement on Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue

State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson's statement (digital) on behalf of Norway on the Renewed OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) European Security Dialogue.

By State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson OSCE, 8 February

Minister of Defence Odd Roger Enoksen: NATO at a crossroad - views from Nato HQ and Norway

*Check against delivery*

By Former Minister of Defence Odd Roger Enoksen Forsvarsminister Odd Roger Enoksen sitt innlegg på Litteraturhuset 7. februar. Arrangør var Atlanterhavskomiteen og arrangementet ble kalt "NATO at a crossroad - views from Nato HQ and Norway".

Development of packages of infection control measures

The Norwegian Government wishes to give the sectors affected by the COVID-19 measures greater predictability. Work is therefore underway on a general framework of packages of infection control measures that can be deployed when needed.

Easing of the rules regarding testing prior to departure to Svalbard

The Norwegian Government is easing the rules regarding travel to Svalbard. This means that permanent residents, people who are fully vaccinated, and people who have recovered from COVID-19 no longer need to get tested prior to departure to Svalbard.

An end to regular testing

The infection rate is so high that regular testing is no longer expedient. Regular testing will therefore end with immediate effect.

Syrian women’s group visits Norway

Representatives of the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board visited Norway last week. Syrian Women’s Advisory Board was established to provide advice to the UN Special Envoy for Syria in the efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

Joint statement on the situation in Myanmar

A joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the one year

New ambassadors from Cambodia, Luxembourg and the Dominican Republic

Three new ambassadors to Norway presented their letters of credence to His Majesty King Harald V on 27 January 2022.