His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway was accompanied by Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York. On behalf of Norway, the Crown Prince announced Norway’s candidacy for a seat in the UN Security Council for the period of 2021-22. The launch took place in the UN building in New York and was then marked with a huge reception for all UN member states.
In the Rose Garden at the UN headquarters, Crown Prince Haakon and the Foreign Minister held a press conference, emphasising that Norway has national interests in defending the UN and international law. This is the backbone of a world order that has taken care of our security, prosperity and values for 70 years. Not least, the oceans are essential for Norway.
“It is important to have an international system of rules, negotiations and constructive dialogue. Therefore, the UN is important. I have been an ambassador for the UN Development Fund (UNDP) for 14 years. Through those years I have seen how the UN works at the country level, and what good efforts the UN is doing for health, education and fighting poverty”, said the Crown Prince to the press.
Crown Prince Haakon talks with the press after officially announcing that Norway wishes to resume a place in the UN Security Council. To the left, Norway’s Foreign Minister. Photo: Photo: UN Photo/ Mark Garten via United Nations Press Office.
Norway has been a candidate for a seat on the council since the announcement in 2007, but the campaign itself begins now until the decision comes in June 2020. The previous time Norway had space the Security Council was from 2001-2002. Now, Norway is searching for the period 2021-2022. If Norway again gets this vital position, it will be 20 years since last time.
Following the official announcement for the candidacy, Crown Prince Haakon visited the Hall where the Security Council has its meetings, together with representatives from a number of other countries. The hall was donated by Norway to the UN in 1952. “The world’s most important room” was designed by Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg. The artist Per Krohg made the mural behind the meeting table, while Else Poulsson designed the wallpaper that was woven at Joh Petersen Linvarefabrikk. The hall was renovated and upgraded with modern technology in 2013, but the design is the same.
