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Norway

Crown Prince Haakon concludes UN trip to New York

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has had a hectic week in New York. He arrived on Sunday evening and has had a hectic programme through the week; Thursday was his last day before returning to Norway. On Monday, the Crown Prince attended events regarding climate change, and this continued on Tuesday with meetings with, among others, the King of Jordan and actor Alec Baldwin. On Wednesday His Royal Highness hosted a lunch at the Norwegian Consul’s residence in New York. Present were all the foreign ministers from the Nordic nations of Northern Europe and SICA countries.

On Thursday, young leadership and commitment were the focus. Youth delegates at the UN Climate Summit presented the final document from Oslo Pax 2019, an international day for peace and climate. Young climate activists met decision-makers, experts and peace prize winners, with common recommendations for the UN Climate Summit.

HRH Crown Prince Haakon in New York. Photo: Royal Norwegian UN-delegation.

Crown Prince Haakon was the keynote speaker at the meeting. He pointed to the commitment and willingness that young people show in the climate case, and emphasised how important it is for young people to be included in the decision-making process. “We need their creativity, power and ingenuity. We need their leadership as problem solvers and innovators,” said the Crown Prince.

His Royal Highness also said: “Peace, security, climate action and sustainable development are all interlinked. The severe impacts of climate change undeniably pose a threat to our common security. It is a threat to human wellbeing, and puts the rights of future generations at risk.”

The Crown Prince was also present at the UN High-Level Meeting on Financing for Development on Thursday. Efforts to meet the UN’s sustainability goals are not adequately funded. Norway gives high priority to funding for development, through the presidency of ECOSOC, the UN Economic and Social Council, led by Norway’s UN ambassador, Mona Juul.

Crown Prince Haakon spoke and had three messages from Norway: “We hear you. We support you. We need you. If we are to meet the UN’s sustainability goals and if the fight against climate change is to succeed, all countries must stand together. Sustainable development in the less developed countries not only makes them but the whole world the more stable and peaceful place.”

HRH Crown Prince Haakon together with the leader of UN-Habitat, Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Photo: Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

Crown Prince Haakon also participated in a review of the status of “the SAMOA Pathway” – an action program for development in small island states. The UN’s Sustainability Goals characterise the programme, which addresses climate, clean energy, poverty reduction, health, gender equality, security and a number of other important areas. The Crown Prince visited the Pacific states of Samoa, Fiji and Tonga earlier this year.

Crown Prince Haakon is back at work in Norway on Saturday. Then, he and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend a ceremony to reveal a new statue in Oslo to commemorate the 2011 terror attack.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.