Ocean research
The expedition aims to share knowledge and raise awareness about the importance of the ocean for our joint sustainable future. The expedition is a recognized part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Read more about the One Ocean Expedition here.
In August 2021, Statsraad Lehmkuhl, one of the world’s largest sailing ships in full operation, set sail from her base in Bergen, Norway and began a twenty-month-long circumnavigation of the globe.
This 108-year-old sail training vessel was then equipped with state-of-the-art research equipment, which allows the ship to collect data continuously throughout the voyage. The different instruments measure, among other levels of CO₂, eDNA, micro-plastic, ocean acidification, wave heights, and temperature.
An advanced hydrophone collects sounds from mammals and ocean noise, and the ship stops regularly to take water samples. The 98-meter-long ship serves as a combined floating university and training vessel. It brings students, scientists, trainees, and professionals, together on different legs. On board, everyone works together to sail the ship and gather experience and knowledge about the ocean and each other.
Science and maritime cooperation focus
While in Singapore, there will be hosted several events on board (by invitation only).
These events include a visit by H.E. Minister S Iswaran, Minister of Transport, and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations.
Vice Minister, Mr Erling Rimestad, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will open the annual Norway-Singapore Science Week. A delegation of 40 presidents, professors, and researchers from Norwegian Universities and Research Institutes, will embark on a 4-days, 20+ meetings workshop and meeting program to enhance cooperation within the maritime, smart city, energy, and aquaculture sectors.
For more information: 2022 Science Week - program overview, 2022 Science Week - biographies
There will also be a bilateral symposium marking the 40th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). H.E. K Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Minister for Home Affairs, will open the symposium and H.E. Ambassador Tommy Koh will lead an expert panel discussing the past and future of the Convention, as well as its importance for small open maritime nations such as Norway and Singapore.
The Norwegian Seafood Council will host an executive shellfish event on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl, for high-end restaurant chefs in Singapore. The Bocuse d'Or winning chef Mr Christian Andre Pettersen (CAP), will be presenting dishes made from Norwegian shellfish such as Red King Crab, Langoustines, Scallops and Cold Water Prawns.
In the evening, four of the Commercial Partners of the One Ocean Expedition will, together with Team Norway, bring on board invited guests for the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Soirée, the last event on board the ship, before she set sails for Jakarta the day after.
On 1 November, Team Norway will host the inaugural Singapore Norway Maritime Digital and Cyber Forum. The Forum focuses on communications and cyber-security within the maritime sector. Senior Minister of State, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, and Vice Minister, Mr Erling Rimestad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway, will open the forum.
The Vice Minister will the same day have bilateral talks with his colleagues Senior Minister of State, Ms Sim Ann, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Development, and with Senior Minister of State, Mr Chee Hong Tat.
NBIM, Gardens by the Bay and Norwegian Jazz
Allow me also to mention some other upcoming events this fall.
Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the Norwegian Business Association, Singapore (NBAS), and the Embassy invite you to a morning master class with the CEO of NBIM, Mr Nicolai Tangen, on 3 November. He will present the Norwegian oil fund and how it operates. He will also discuss how factors like inflation, geopolitics, and cyber security issues impact the fund.
Read more about and sign up for the event:
https://nbas.org.sg/events/being-a-large-financial-investor-in-a-world-of-uncertainty/
Gardens by the Bay will on 9 November start its 10th Anniversary Celebration. The Embassy has, together with the other Nordic Embassies, been invited to participate. In planning is another Nordic Christmas program, including an exhibition until January, and a Norwegian Christmas Jazz concert with the John Pål Inderberg Trio on 10 December.
The concert is organised by the Norwegian Cultural Center (NCC) and the Embassy Tickets will be free of charge (first come, first serve)! Please follow NCC’s and the Embassy’s social media channels for more information.
Among Norway’s best jazz musicians, The Inderberg Trio has also been booked for concerts at Maduro and Simply Jazz in the beginning of December. The Trio will also work with the Jazz Association (Singapore) and Lasalle on workshops for local jazz musicians.
OSEA, SNIC and the Norwegian Seafood Dinner is back
OSEA 2022, the region’s largest offshore energy meeting point, returns to in-person format from 15 to 17 November at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre. Supported by a high-level steering committee of top industry experts that includes Innovation Norway, the conference and trade show is set to pioneer a global shift of the offshore energy sector to the “green” energy market. Innovation Norway will organize a Norwegian Pavilion at OSEA 2022, together with Norwegian Energy Partners and supported by the Embassy.
NBAS, Innovation Norway, and the Embassy host Singapore Norway Innovation Conference SNIC 2022 on 18 November at Conrad Centennial Singapore. SNIC 2022 will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation in the maritime industry. This includes demonstrating existing solutions and prospective developments in alternative fuels and decarbonisation technologies.
SNIC 2022 also offers the opportunity to hear the former CEO of the Norwegian oil fund (Norges Bank Investment Management) and presently CEO of Aker Asset Management, Mr Yngve Slyngstad. He will address how we can solve Net Zero 2050 - the biggest investment challenge of our time, together with Mr Chris Ong, CE of Keppel Offshore and Marine. Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat will open the Conference.
Read more and sign up for the event: https://nbas.org.sg/snic-2022-program/
On the same day, Team Norway is once more hosting the Norwegian Seafood Dinner at the Fairmont hotel. 1100 guests will attend this gala event, which is back after a more than three years break due to the pandemic.
December activities
On 7 December, the Norwegian Business Association Singapore, Norwegian Energy Partners, Innovation Norway, and The Norwegian Embassy in Singapore, are hosting an event for Norwegian companies to showcase different business opportunities within renewables in Singapore.
It aims to strengthen the bilateral bond between Singapore and Norway within the renewable energy field. The key actors in Singapore and companies will highlight their business operations and plans within renewables in Singapore and the region. We will also learn how Innovation Norway and Norwegian Energy Partners help Norwegian offshore wind and solar companies enter the SEA market.
Read more and sign up for the event: https://nbas.org.sg/events/upcoming-events/renewables-offshore-wind-and-solar-singapore/
There are always many activities going on at our church, the Norwegian Seamen's Mission, at 300 Pasir Panjang Road. It is extra special to visit the Mission in the pre-Christmas season. For more information about upcoming events at the Seamen's Mission: Singapore | Sjømannskirken (sjomannskirken.no)
For those who are interested in Art & Culture: Do not miss visiting the seventh edition of the Singapore Biennale (SB2022) at the Singapore Art Museum, featuring over 50 artists and collaborators within contemporary art, including our own Norwegian and Sami artist Ms Elina Waage Mikalsen. The exhibition just opened and will last until 19 March 2023.
Finally, remember that by following the social media channels of the Embassy, and the rest of Team Norway, you may learn more about Norwegian-related programs and events in Singapore.
Wishing you all the best and sending my warm regards,
Eivind S. Homme
Ambassador