Sustainable use of the oceans - a global priority

‘The Government is stepping up its efforts to promote Norway’s ocean interests. We intend to make sustainable use of the oceans a global priority,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende in a press release Friday 24 March. This is the first time a Norwegian government has presented a white paper on the place of the oceans in foreign and development policy.

In Singapore, the Norwegian Embassy has already put sustainable use of the oceans on the agenda:

"I am glad to announce that Singapore and Norway have decided to focus on reduction of marine litter in our joint training program for public officials this year. Maritime nations like ours need to invest in healthy oceans", says ambassador Tormod C. Endresen.

The white paper gives special priority to three areas: sustainable use and blue growth, clean and healthy oceans, and the role of the blue economy in development policy. A summary of the white paper (in English) is available here.