Stand Up for the Ocean – Norway’s Global Leadership on Ocean Issues

The ocean is vital for jobs, nature, food security, and local economic development in many developing countries. At the same time, the ocean faces major challenges from climate change, loss of natural habitats, overfishing, and marine litter.

Norway has strong research communities, significant maritime expertise, and extensive experience in fisheries, marine industries, and ocean management. Norwegian stakeholders also have experience with how efforts in areas such as plastic pollution, aquaculture, and sustainable ocean management can contribute to locally led economic development, the mobilization of private capital, and decent jobs.

But how can we make even better use of this expertise in Norwegian aid and development policy? What works, what should we do more of—and what should we do differently?

The Bergen Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Marine Research, and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) invite you to an afternoon meeting on Norway’s global leadership in ocean affairs and the role of the ocean in development policy.

You’ll meet, among others, Stine Renate Håheim, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Zaynab Sadan from WWF in South Africa; and Cato Lyngøy from Hauge Aqua. The Institute of Marine Research will share insights from its work on a sustainable global ocean economy and projects, featuring video contributions from partners in Kenya, Namibia, and Sri Lanka, among other countries.

Together with stakeholders from the business sector, research, government, civil society, and politics, we discuss how Norway can maximize the impact of its international efforts on behalf of the ocean—for nature, for jobs, and for thriving local communities.

The event will conclude with a political debate on the future direction of Norwegian development policy and Norway’s role as a maritime nation.