Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

This week, we had the great pleasure of hosting representatives from the Norwegian Parliament in D.C.! Their visit rounded off a 10-day visit to the U.S., following a week in New York for the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations. ?? ?? The representatives kicked off their visit by participating in the AUSA reception at the embassy, where they gained insights into how central the Norwegian military industry is to the bilateral partnership with the U.S. ? ?? During their time here, the group met with our newly appointed Ambassador and some of the wonderful staffers here at the Embassy to learn more about how we are working with an eye toward November 5. They also engaged with eager journalists who shared their insights on the upcoming elections and their potential implications for Norway, the U.S., and the world. ? ?? The visit included briefings and engaging Q&A sessions at The Brookings Institution, the Senate, and the State Department – focusing on, among other topics, transatlantic relations, multilateral institutions, and security policy. ? ??? Our Parliament representatives also enjoyed a tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as a visit to the newly opened The People's House: A White House Experience, where they got a photo in the virtual Oval Office! ?? ? We thank the Parliament representatives for their visit! ? Stortinget | H?yre | Arbeiderpartiet | Venstre, Norges Liberale Parti | Senterpartiet | Fremskrittspartiet/Progress Party | R?dt | Sosialistisk Venstreparti

Yesterday, Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt visited the annual exhibition of the Association of the United States Army - AUSA. This is the largest land power exhibition in North America, gathering representatives from a vast number of defense industry companies. Norway was well represented, and the Ambassador was welcomed by many Norwegian companies as she toured the exhibition. Stopping by the booths of Norwegian companies Nammo Defense Systems Inc., Teledyne FLIR, and KONGSBERG, Ambassador Huitfeldt was given demonstrations of some of the newest technology in drones, ammunition, and weapons. She also toured the Norway Pavilion, where the following eight Norwegian companies were represented: Axnes, Squarehead Technology, Teleplan International, GREEN AMMO, OnTime Networks, ACAPULKA, Kitron Group, and Watchbird AS. Did you know Norway had such a large defense industry? Norwegian-American Defense & Homeland Security Industry Council

With Jon Fosse winning the Nobel Prize last year, the rest of the world is beginning to discover Norwegian literature! We enjoyed this article from The Washington Post about delving into the world of Norwegian books for the very first time.

Recently, Embassy Senior Policy Advisor (Trade, Energy, Climate, and Business) Thomas Simchak-Messera accompanied Governor Janet Mills and her delegation to Norway's west coast. The trip was focused around the responsible development and deployment of offshore wind – a project to which both Norway and the state of Maine are committed. To learn more, see below.

Interesting story from NPR this weekend: “For me, it was the right thing to do, and I 100% believe it from the bottom of my heart,” says Eide. “I know my father would have done the same today. My grandfather would've have done the same, too, because times change and we have to change with them.”

?? Last Friday marked the conclusion of a six-week partnership between the Norwegian Embassy and Georgetown University. The collaboration culminated in a consulting-style speed pitch event at the Embassy, where students presented up to 28 creative concepts in just 30 minutes! ???? Topic: How can Norway brand Norwegian innovation and sustainable practices in the U.S. within sustainable fishing, offshore wind, green shipping, and EVs? ????? ?? A few of the creative concepts presented included a “Battle of the Bites” TV cooking competition to promote Norwegian seafood, and a “Sustainable Seas Training Program” designed to foster collaboration among port operators. ?The Embassy was truly impressed by the creativity and knowledge these students demonstrated in only six weeks. We hope this collaboration has sparked further interest in Norwegian industry and innovation, and we wish all the participants the best in their future endeavors! ??

It was a great pleasure to host Amb. Anniken Huitfeldt in Minnesota this week. A whirlwind visit included bi-lateral discussions with Lt. Gov. Flanagan, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development & Minnesota National Guard, an interview with StarTribune Media Company LLC and meetings with Vesterheim @NorwegianAmericanHistoricalAssociation Augsburg University St. Olaf College Luther College Concordia College StartUSA Inc. Nordic Waffles. And to top it all off, the #MNWild season opener with a goal from our own #MatsZuccarello. ?? ?? Can't wait to have you back in the great state of Minnesota Amb. Anniken Huitfeldt. #NorwayUSRelations ???? ???? Mirjam Christine Ehl Amy Boxrud @ChrisJohnson Laurence Reszetar Gabrielle Gerbaud Sasha Bergman Matt Varilek Anniken Huitfeldt Stine Aasland Jan Villard Jenifer K. Ward Paul Pribbenow @SusanRundellSinger @JohnRash StarTribune Media Company LLC

Commissioner Matt Varilek was honored to meet Norway's new Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt during her visit to Minnesota along with Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and DEED's Minnesota Trade Office team! We were excited to learn Minnesota was her first visit outside of Washington D.C. CC: Norway House

As ???? Ambassador to the ????, it’s no surprise that my first trip took me to the Midwest. It is here that most Norwegian emigrants settled, and even today, more than 22% of North Dakotans have Norwegian heritage. Minnesota is home to the largest number of people with Norwegian ancestry, with over 750,000 residents who claim it. In 2025, we will celebrate the bicentennial (200 years) of organized Norwegian migration to the United States. I am happy to see that many institutions, organizations, and engaged citizens in the Midwest are preparing activities and events next year to celebrate and further strengthen the already excellent relationship between Norway and the United States. My visit to North Dakota and Minnesota included many memorable moments. I’m particularly grateful to our excellent honorary consuls in North Dakota and Minnesota – Jim Maring and Eivind Heiberg, respectively – for their help. My first stop was Fargo, North Dakota. At the Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge 4-025, I tasted my first lefse burger. ?? While in Fargo, I also enjoyed a traditional American breakfast with Congressman Kelly Armstrong. In Moorhead, a highlight was my visit to the Hjemkomst Center. They display the replica of Hobberstad stave church and the Viking ship that sailed from Minnesota to Norway in 1982. At Concordia College, I met with faculty dedicated to fostering the cooperation with ???? and participated in a Center for a New American Security (CNAS) panel on the importance of NATO. At Camp Ripley, the headquarters of the Minnesota National Guard, I learned more about the close and longstanding cooperation between them and ????. General Manke was my generous host. As a historian, I appreciated the presentation about the 99th infantry battalion. In Minneapolis, I was honored to meet Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. I am thankful for her generous gift of a pair of Minnesota mittens. These will come in handy when I return to the Midwest in winter! I also enjoyed having dinner with Amy Boxrud from the Norwegian American Historical Association and Vesterheim President Chris Johnson. They are both central in planning the bicentennial celebration in the Midwest. I visited St. Olaf College and was pleased to meet with the presidents of three of the schools founded by ???? Lutheran?emigrants: Susan R. Singer (St. Olaf), Paul Pribbenow (Augsburg University), and Jennifer K. Ward (Luther College) – and to greet the St. Olaf Board. At a Scandinavian bakery outside Minneapolis, I met "vaffeldronningen" Stine Aasland, who came to the United States with a dream of selling waffles to Americans. She founded Nordic Waffles, which today sells waffles in more than 2,000 stores. ?? The visit ended on a high note as I watched ???? hockey player Mats Zuccarello score and win with the Minnesota Wild at the season opener. As I leave, I understand why all the previous ???? Ambassadors to the ???? told me to visit the Midwest early in my tenure. I will be back!

Yesterday was the last day of the visit from the Norwegian Defense University College's 31st Senior Executive Course delegation, which – like the day before – consisted of panels, seminars, and interesting discussions. ? It started with a briefing from the Pentagon, represented by Principal Director for Europe and NATO Alton Buland?and Army Col. Grant S. Fawcett, on our countries' bilateral cooperation and the U.S. presence in Europe and the Arctic. ? Next, they received a briefing from Col. Brian Hans and Head of International Engagements Ashly Bander from the Space Development Agency. They talked about how the U.S. Space Force works to keep up with the fast pace of development concerning space technology. ? The last thing on their program was a discussion from the U.S. Department of State, represented by Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe Liam Walsley,?and Finland Desk Officer Natalia Sitnikov, on the topic of Europe and Ukraine from a NATO perspective. ? In addition to the academic content of the program, the delegation received a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and was also welcomed to an evening reception at the Residence. ? On behalf of the Embassy, thank you for your visit, and enjoy the rest of your time in the U.S.!?