Society & Policy

The world’s largest wind turbine is to be built in Norway. Innovative technology will make the production of renewable energy far more efficient.

The equal status of women in society has been an important part of public policy in Norway for several years. A central initiative in this context was the Parliament's passing of a law in 2003, requiring that 40 percent of all company board members be women.

During a ceremony in Oslo on 10 December, President Barack Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

The fjords of Norway have once again been crowned the world’s top travel destination in the annual survey of National Geographic Travelers panellists.

On 29 September, President of the Norwegian parliament Thorbjørn Jagland was elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Now he intends to modernise what he describes as the world’s most important human rights organisation, and make it more effective.

On 14 September, the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party and Centre Party received the majority of votes in the national election, giving them a mandate to govern for another four-year period. “We will focus on securing jobs, renewing and improving the welfare society, and playing an active role in climate issues,” says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The world’s first full-scale floating wind turbine – known as Hywind – was officially opened on 8 September off the southwest coast of Norway. “This is an important step towards creating a new Norwegian energy industry at sea,” declared Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the polar ice UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Svalbard in Norway’s Arctic region to view firsthand the impacts of climate change. Some hectic weeks are in store before the climate summit convenes in Copenhagen.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will host the signing – by states from all over the world – of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The signing will take place in Oslo, from 3 to 4 December 2008.