Conference on globalization

First, I want to thank Oslo Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center Oslo and last, but not least, the city of Oslo, for organizing this conference on globalization. I warmly welcome this initiative. Meetings like these are great opportunities to unite representatives from authorities, corporations and organizations from several corners of the world. I am proud to have taken part in such a gathering. 

It is in inspiring surroundings we are meeting today. We are in the hall of the Nobel peace prize, in the place where this prize is awarded annually. As you all know, among the winners of the latest years are the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Al Gore in 2007 and Wangari Maathai in 2004, all honored for their efforts in the work against climate change. Their action shows that we can all contribute to improve our environment on both global and local arenas.

I guess you agree with me when I recognize environmental technology as a tool that can bridge the aims of economic growth and sustainable development. Allow me to elaborate: Goods can be produced with fewer resources, less energy and less harmful chemicals. Reduced energy consumption also implies fewer emissions and less waste, and thereby supports sustainability.

Later this year, our government will publish a white paper on innovation, in which future initiatives on environmental technology will play an integrated and central part.

One of the benefits of trade and globalization is that national technology can be used globally. I believe that trade and environmental technology have the power to enforce each other. The better technology we invent and put to use, the more sustainable it allows trade to become; and the more we trade and communicate, the wider the national environmental technology will spread globally. Ultimately, this is a question of making business and industry sustainable.

Let me also emphasize how important it is that our political leadership is accompanied and endorsed by private business. Political leadership combined with market driven efficiency will be at the core of bringing about the good solutions. I have already mentioned how the Norwegian government and business are cooperating on the industrial and technological project of dimensions in Mongstad, on developing carbon capture and storage.

Norwegian companies have started to include environment in their strategies, as the Norwegian government now includes environmental considerations in its policy development. I am convinced that the environment should be an integrated part also in industrial policy. This is vital for Norwegian business to become more sustainable and stay competitive. For this reason we have included the environment in our strategies for the maritime sector and tourism.

Maintaining the environment is of the highest priority to the Norwegian Government. Sustainable growth is both possible and necessary to secure life quality and the economic situation of millions of people could improve. As politicians, this is what we strive to achieve the most.

Conclusions:
Over twenty years has passed since the “World Commission on Environment and Development” with its leader, Mrs Gro Harlem Brundtland - at that time Norwegian Prime Minister, published the report “Our Common Future”. In this report, the phrase “sustainable development” was introduced. The report positioned environmental issues at the top of the international agenda, where it has remained. Let me remind you of the bottom line of this report. It stated how essential it is to accompany economic growth by sustainable development.

Since then, mentality surrounding climate changes has evolved, in business and in the political debate. I am therefore optimistic. When meeting in Bali last year, the international community tried to move a step further.  Next year, another UN conference, in Copenhagen this time, will be even more decisive for the future of the planet.

Trade has evolved, from the Vikings traded their fish and other goods in Constantinople thousand years ago, till today, when trade comprise IT-services and now also CO2. We have just started trading CO2-allowances in Europe, and soon, I believe, business will sell and buy CO2 globally.

However, no matter what we exchange, the reason for trading remains the same: mutual benefits of economic growth and prosperity. If all states are given the chance to join world trade on equal terms, there are reasons to believe that they will be less interested in fighting each other. 

The on-going negociations for a WTO-agreement are an attempt to include the world’s poorest nations and people into globalization, let us hope for their success!

Thank you for your attention!