Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world Why does the city still struggle with air pollution?  An air quality station near the Opera House in Oslo The city’s chronic smog has improved in recent years 2025 at 1:00 AM EDTBookmarkSaveTakeaways NEWOslo is awash with zero-emission electric vehicles and contains miles of urban forest But despite its reputation as one of Europe’s greenest cities Norway’s capital has a stubborn air quality problem levels of PM10 pollution — from tiny but harmful airborne particles of less than 10 millimeters diameter — reached levels deemed excessive by Norwegian law (50 mg per cubic meter) at all but one of the city’s air quality monitoring stations The measuring point nearest the city’s environment agency found excessive levels of particulate pollution on 95 days in 2024 almost three times the 35-day limit set by the European Union For a few particularly dusty hours earlier this year authorities saw readings here spike to levels akin to an industrialized hub in China Kommunalministeren og Arkitekturopprøret besøker puben Få nyhetsbrev fra Dagsavisen. Meld deg på her Hvordan skal regjeringens mål om 130.000 nye boliger nås – samtidig som våre byer og tettsteder bygges med en arkitektur som folk liker Hun kom til Politisk Pub for å få innspill fra folket til regjeringens arkitekturstrategi til en samtale om god og dårlig arkitektur med statsråden Dagsavisens Jo Moen Bredeveien ledet samtalen Politisk pub episode 5: Stenseng og arkitekturopprøreren (Aleksander Alstrup/Dagsavisen) Eller lytt til samtalen som podkast her – eller søk den opp der du pleier å høre på podkast med kjente gjester som snakker om viktige tema i det norske samfunnet Politisk pub er et samarbeid mellom Dagsavisen Tankesmien Agenda og Grünerløkka Arbeiderparti Få nyhetsbrev fra Dagsavisen. Meld deg på her Here are a few such overrated locations that might be better avoided if you're looking for a true Norwegian adventure away from the usual tourist traps For those wanting to be alone and enjoy similar sights try visiting some other less-frequented trails in the region Traveling to other parts of Bergen or the nearby towns may give a more authentic glimpse into Norwegian life If you're looking to soak in the local culture at affordable prices you may want to explore neighborhoods like Grunerlokka Travelers might find visiting lesser-known fjords equally impressive without having to deal with large crowds Exploring other locations further inland can improve your chances while cutting down costs related to guided tours often available in Tromso itself Company now has 16 European Local Zones live European cloud provider OVHcloud has launched a Local Zone Edge in Oslo Local zones are suitable for workloads with latency-sensitive services such as real-time analytics content delivery networks (CDN) for replay and streaming videos They are also said to offer OVH customers greater options around data residency “Hello Norway!,” the company recently posted on LinkedIn bringing local compute power to Norwegians.” Announced last year and powered by technology acquired from Gridscale the company rolled out more than a dozen locations across 2024 and has continued to launch new locations this year After launching in Europe and North Africa last year the company also quickly expanded into the US OVHcloud Local Zones are now live in 23 metros and the company aims to reach more than 35 locations by the end of 2025 the company lists zones live across Manchester The company hasn’t said which facilities the zones’ infrastructure sits in These are a mix of self-built and leased locations Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Gentoo Media IncThe shareholders of Gentoo Media Inc. resolved on 13 March 2025 to apply for delisting of the company's shares from Euronext Oslo Børs while maintaining the listing of the shares on Nasdaq Stockholm. The application was approved by Euronext Oslo Børs on 2 May 2025, with the last day of trading on Euronext Oslo Børs on 24 July 2025.  Most banks and brokers have the possibility to trade the Gentoo Media share on both exchanges, and we encourage shareholders to contact your bank or broker if you have any questions relating to the above. Gentoo Media will also help out if there are any questions or requirements. Tore Formo, Company Secretary, tore.formo@g2m.com +47 91668678 https://news.cision.com/gentoo-media-inc/r/gentoo-media---continued-listing-on-nasdaq-stockholm--delisting-from-euronext-oslo-bors-from-25-july%2Cc4145121 Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.© 2025 TradingView Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies Author: Kate Chester The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) have announced the call for applications for their annual summer Ph.D Cases and Skills” will take place in person in Oslo policy and practitioner perspectives on international mediation and learn from senior mediators and professors from around the world “The course strikes a balance between theory and practice, so that participants gain skills in conflict analysis as well as those needed for mediating agreements between conflict parties,” said Laurie Nathan, director of the Mediation Program at the Kroc Institute and the course leader “Critical to mediation work is understanding and acknowledging the emotional state of the conflict parties as a means for the mediator to build trust and rapport,” he added “Participants will learn the ‘why’ through theory and the ‘how’ through skills building as part of this course.” Preference will be given to applicants who are currently registered in a Ph.D or who have substantial practitioner experience The 3-credit course is officially recognized by the University of Notre Dame There is no registration fee for accepted students The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 12, 2025. For more details and to access the application form, visit the website of the Research School on Peace & Conflict a partnership between the University of Oslo the Norwegian University of Science and Technology For questions about the course or the application process, contact Nathan at Laurie.N.Nathan.4@nd.edu Posted In: News Feed Accessibility Information In 2019, Oslo earned the prestigious title of European Green Capital, recognised for its bold climate initiatives and innovative urban planning. Five years later, the city’s progress is highlighted in its five-year report demonstrating Oslo’s unwavering commitment to sustainability Oslo’s master plan guides the building of a greener protecting nature and enhancing quality of life for everyone The city has already cut greenhouse gas emissions by 28% since 2009 and emissions from municipal operations have been reduced by an impressive 86% since 2012 With projects like zero-emission construction and restoring natural habitats Oslo shows how collaboration between the government and community can make a big difference Oslo introduced a climate plan with a bold goal: to cut emissions by 95% by 2030 The plan addresses emission reductions by protecting forests saving energy and preparing for climate challenges Oslo will also implement projects addressing leaky dams to prevent flooding and boost biodiversity Electric cars now account for 40% of private vehicles with 90% of new car sales in 2024 being electric making public transport even more sustainable More people are walking and cycling: in 2023 the city’s growing car-sharing program provides nearly 1 000 dedicated spots Even ships are reducing emissions with the use of shore power at ports Oslo is enhancing its landscape by creating meadows to boost biodiversity and support pollinators 26 flower meadows were monitored for local wildflowers and pesticide use removing 130 tonnes of waste and 500 fishing gear sets in the last two years air quality has improved due to reduced emissions from road transport and more electric vehicles A new air quality action plan will be adopted in June 2025 Over 1 500 tonnes of secondhand items were distributed from the city’s reuse facilities Encouraging individuals to resale and reuse contributed to reduction of discarded secondhand items reflects on the city’s achievements and impacts following its win EU Environment newsletters deliver the latest updates about the European Commission’s environmental priorities straight to your inbox This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page C40 Cities’ VISIBLE project, supported by Laudes Foundation each city has made notable progress in advancing projects to accelerate the transition of their construction sectors we look at innovative city-led initiatives in Oslo showcasing its achievements in making the construction industry more sustainable Oslo is one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities and a leader in adopting modern Oslo City Council introduced procurement criteria to encourage municipal projects to use emission-free construction machinery and transport for materials the city launched the Oslo Model for socially responsible procurement setting strict rules for high-risk sectors like construction subcontracting chains were limited to a single vertical level to improve oversight By making business practices more transparent it is now much harder for issues like exploitative labour practices and informal work to persist With Oslo City Council accounting for 20% of the local market’s contract value construction firms quickly adopted greener methods Legal Adviser at the city’s Improvement and Development Agency 77% of municipal building sites are emission-free — showing how procurement can drive industry-wide change emission-free construction equipment will be mandatory for all public projects Sophie’s Minde is one example of a key project for the city’s buildings team as it combines high ambition on several clean construction fronts This 19th-century heritage building is undergoing a deep renovation to become a multi-purpose facility The work is being carried out using zero-emission construction machinery and extensive material reuse The team are grappling with the complexities of using battery-powered tools in temperatures as low as -25°C from heavy excavators to the bitumen kettle and energy well driller This project aims to inspire others — and with good reason The site is expected to produce only 16 tonnes of carbon during construction compared to 223 tonnes if conventional machinery were used Another advantage is also that the use of electrified machinery makes construction sites much quieter were quickly convinced after experiencing the calm and cleanliness of the new tools firsthand Another trailblazing project in the east of the city is Fyrstikkbakken 14 known as the ‘matchstick apartments’ after the matchbox industry once based there Now often referred to as Norway’s ‘divorce apartments’ the site is a trailblazer in innovative rental agreements the 118 flats were constructed using cross-laminated timber and low-carbon concrete The development includes on-site solar panels generating clean energy Environmental innovations are matched by social ones: compact buildings with smart flat designs have attracted diverse residents including many with non-traditional family structures The Løren multi-purpose Sports Hall and Activity Park is another standout example of zero-emission construction combined with material reuse The external cladding and rooftop structure are made from reused steel while parts of the façade are clad with reused concrete panels The steel was sourced from decommissioned ships marking one of the first local examples of material reuse across industries is optimistic that the construction sector will increasingly draw on secondary materials from other industries to advance its circular construction goals These pilot projects in motion across Oslo are building the evidence base that clean construction is viable and should be supported by city councils to propel the positive change necessary for a zero-emission future These project VISIBLE pilot projects offer practical examples for other C40 cities striving for a just transition in construction and more inclusive sector that benefits both workers and communities Supported by Laudes Foundation, the VISIBLE project was launched in 2023 to help the cities of London and Oslo to pilot approaches for building a just and viable regenerative built environment The VISIBLE project is working with these cities to build political and public support and to accelerate their building decarbonisation actions By learning from diverse stakeholders about the social and economic barriers to a just transition the cities are piloting clean construction practices that aim to mainstream social equity and economic viability We use cookies. Learn more about how in our Privacy Policy G2MNOThe shareholders of Gentoo Media Inc. resolved on 13 March 2025 to apply fordelisting of the company's shares from Euronext Oslo Børs while maintainingthelisting of the shares on Nasdaq Stockholm. The application was approved byEuronext Oslo Børs on 2 May 2025, with the last day of trading on EuronextOsloBørs on 24 July 2025. The shares of Gentoo Media have been dual listed on Euronext Oslo Børs andNasdaq Stockholm since 2019, and the share will continue to be listed onNasdaqStockholm (main list) with the same name and ISIN. The company's shareregistrywill continue in Euronext Securities Oslo (VPS) after the delisting, with theshares held in Euroclear Sweden mirrored via a nominee account in the VPS.Thus,shareholders are not required to take any action to move their shares inconnection with the delisting. Most banks and brokers have the possibility to trade the Gentoo Media share onboth exchanges, and we encourage shareholders to contact your bank or brokerifyou have any questions relating to the above. Gentoo Media will also help outifthere are any questions or requirements. For further information, contact:Tore Formo, Company Secretary, tore.formo@g2m.com +47 91668678 https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645281 Contacts:Svend Anton Maier, CEO+47 41 42 71 29 sam@deepvaluedriller.no Deep Value Driller AS is a drillship-owning company which owns the highspecification UDW 7th generation drillship "Deep Value Driller", built in2014.As part of its strategy, the Company has an ambition to create and maximisevalue for its customers and investors, while at the same time ensuring safeandsustainable operation of its drillship. For further information, visitwww.deepvaluedriller.no. This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and the Euronext Growth Rule Bookpart II. https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645317 STBPursuant to the requirements set out in the Securities Trading Act, regulatedbythe Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority ("FSA") and by the Oslo StockExchange, please be advised of the shareholding in Storebrand ASA for T. RowePrice Associates, Inc. Explanation of the T. Rowe Price Organization: T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. ("TRPG") owns 100% of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.("TRPA"). TRPG is a holding company with no physical assets and noindependentoperations of its own. TRPG is a publically traded company on NASDAQ underticker TROW. There are no controlling stockholders of this company. TRPG hasofficers and directors, but no independent employees. All TRPG employees areemployees of operating subsidiaries. TRPG does not directly hold any sharesofStorebrand ASA. TRPA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TRPG. TRPA is registered with the U.S.Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as an investment advisor under theInvestment Advisers Act of 1940. TRPA does not directly hold any shares ofStorebrand ASA. https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645308 LINKLINK Mobility Group Holding ASA will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) on27May 2025 at 10:00 CEST at the Company's offices, Gullhaug Torg 5, 0484 Oslo.Thenotice of the AGM is attached and available on LINK's investor relations pagestogether with other relevant documentshttps://www.linkmobility.com/investors/governance. Morten Løken Edvardsen, CFO & VP Investor Relations +47 90 56 15 89 ir@linkmobility.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645280 SMOPOslo, Norway - May 5, 2025 - Smartoptics Group AS will publish its financialresults for the first quarter 2025 on Thursday May 8, 2025, at 07:00 CET. Thecompany will host a presentation of the results by CEO Magnus Grenfeldt andCFOStefan Karlsson on the same day at 9:00 CET at Hotel Continental in Oslo. Thepresentation will also be webcast. Link: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20250508_3/ The report and presentation will be made available at smartoptics.com andwww.newsweb.no. A recorded version of the presentation will be available afterthe live stream is concluded. For more information, please contact:Magnus GrenfeldtCEO SmartopticsTelephone: +47 214 174 00Email: magnus.grenfeldt@smartoptics.com For additional information about Smartoptics, please visit smartoptics.com https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645268 Both positions have support in the Russian capital in part because they are complementary rather than opposed as together they allow Moscow to weaken Europe further divide the United States and Europe and expand Russian influence and presence beyond where it has been up to now Patrushev reflects the more traditional Russian approach. In an interview with the Moscow military journal National Defense, he says that Western countries now, as in the past, are carrying out a concerted campaign against Russian interests in the Baltic Sea, the Arctic, and the North Atlantic regions to weaken Moscow (Natsional’naya Oborona he calls on the Kremlin to respond by strengthening and building up its naval forces and challenging all such Western “provocations,” including in places such as Spitzbergen its resources are spread too thin to fully project power in the region without losing ground in Ukraine but now Dmitriyev and his ideas are at the center of Kremlin thinking and action Dmitriyev was a member of the Russian delegation that met with U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz in Saudi Arabia on February 18 to try to reach a U.S.-Russian agreement on Ukraine Putin clearly believes that Dmitriyev is someone who understands Trump and has mastered “the art of the deal” and may be able to craft an even broader agreement between Moscow and Washington than just on Ukraine president to further Russian engagement in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans without the exertions and risks that the Patrushev approach would certainly entail Patrushev’s words are a reminder that Moscow has another approach in reserve and to be used when it judges it to be advantageous Featuring eight men's events and six for women the competition guarantees thrilling moments Secure your spot now for an experience of lifetime at the Winter Olympic Games in the magical Italy Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights David Nikel is a travel writer covering cruising and Scandinavia.Follow AuthorJan 11 08:16am ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); 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Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-accent{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-base{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-base{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}Visitors to Oslo waterfront can walk on the roof of the landmark Oslo Opera House building the Scandinavian concept of year-round outdoor living Norwegians don’t let the cold deter them from fully experiencing their capital city—and neither should you Whether you’re exploring the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist gliding through snowy trails on cross-country skis or savoring a coffee and cinnamon bun under a blanket at a cozy café Oslo blends outdoor adventure with urban charm when winter bites Although Oslo is known for being one of the world’s most expensive cities embracing the outdoors lifestyle can make a winter visit surprisingly affordable While Oslo is known for its freezing temperatures during winter recent years have seen more unpredictable weather patterns Some winters bring consistent snow and frosty days while others see milder conditions with occasional rain or bare ground is the world’s largest sculpture park created by a single artist the park transforms into a peaceful retreat A dusting of snow adds a layer of beauty and mystique to the life’s work of Vigeland Oslo's Vigeland Park contains more than 200 sculptures in a large open-air gallery which are much quieter in the winter months visitors will encounter powerful works depicting human emotions and relationships The impressive central monolith is especially striking against the frosty backdrop Although restroom facilities and a cafe are available the park is open to the elements and you’ll be walking for long stretches in the crisp winter air weather-appropriate footwear is also essential as snow and ice can make the paths slippery despite the best efforts of local authorities Embracing Oslo lifestyle means diving into its array of outdoor activities and cross-country skiing in Nordmarka is a quintessential experience You can still experience the best of the Scandinavian outdoor lifestyle a short metro ride from downtown Oslo from where a five-minute walk down a snowy trail brings you to a renowned mountain lodge and cafe and the start of the Korketrekkeren sledding route Get close to Oslofjord landmarks on a short sightseeing cruise from Oslo Prefer something more relaxing? Then try a 1.5-hour cruise of the Oslofjord on a virtually silent electric-powered sightseeing boat the service takes in highlights of Oslo’s waterfront and the idyllic islands dotted around the Oslofjord Guiding is done via a free downloadable app allowing guests to appreciate the otherwise silent nature of the trip Urban sauna culture has become a defining winter experience in Oslo blending Nordic tradition with modern urban vibes fjordside saunas offer the perfect escape—relax in a wood-fired sauna Many of Oslo's fjord saunas are located opposite the Opera House Winter in Oslo offers the perfect opportunity to explore its world-class museums and galleries without the lengthy lines The National Gallery is packed with Norwegian and European masterpieces the Munch Museum showcases his story in a modern environment Art lovers should also visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum where contemporary art meets striking architecture by the fjord Catching an ice hockey game in Oslo offers a lively While hockey isn’t as popular in Norway as in some European countries one of the top teams in Norway’s Elite League attracting a few thousand spectators per match Vålerenga and Storhamar line up before a Norwegian ice hockey game in Oslo and chance to enjoy a classic winter sport make it a fun addition to any seasonal visit Although snow is less likely before the turn of the year a pre-Christmas trip to Oslo is still guaranteed to fill you with festive cheer The downtown area along Karl Johans gate turns into a winter wonderland aromatic festive food and warming fire pits For a unique holiday experience, visit the Norsk Folkemuseum where the open-air museum is transformed with Christmas decorations and traditional crafts over the first two weekends in December Driving in Oslo can be a hassle due to high tolls and limited parking but renting a car isn’t necessary thanks to the city’s excellent public transit network While the Oslo Pass includes ‘free’ transport and access to attractions it’s only worth it if you plan to visit premium sites a 24-hour or 7-day transit pass offers great value including ferry rides to Oslofjord’s islands The compact city center and extensive bike lanes make walking and cycling enjoyable About Us Close About Us Open About Us Our Organization Discover our mission and dedication to protecting human rights across the globe Get to know the passionate team behind our work Review and access our complete collection of annual and financial reports Explore our programs dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy in every corner of the globe Contribute to our campaigns supporting the on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and democracy Delve into our original research examining the human rights abuses and violations taking place under authoritarian regimes Discover our dynamic events spotlighting human rights activists and fostering meaningful global dialogue 2024 Save the Date: 2024 Oslo Freedom Forum June 3-5 The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) invites you to join us next year in Oslo for the 16th annual Oslo Freedom Forum from June 3 to 5 Register for OFF 2024 Human rights advocates from around the globe will take the Oslo Konserthus stage to share their efforts to defy repression emphasizes the pivotal role every individual — speaker and participant alike — plays within the global movement for democracy HRF has witnessed a global democratic decline and a rise in authoritarianism Dictatorships in Russia and Iran grew in strength while India and Georgia slid into authoritarianism the Oslo Freedom Forum offers an important platform to Reclaim Democracy: bringing together the world’s top human rights defenders and industry leaders to exchange valuable tools Join us in June 2024 for the Oslo Freedom Forum Use the code 2024OFF to get an early bird discount on your ticket You can find additional details about the event and participation speakers at oslofreedomforum.com, and regular updates on our X and Instagram.  If you are interested in sponsoring the Oslo Freedom Forum, please contact [email protected]. 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More information on how we process personal data can be found here The Africa programme analyses the geopolitics of the Africa-Europe relationship the programme delves into relations between the African Union and the European Union to find creative foreign policy tools and strategies It also focuses on two regions that are particularly relevant for Europe: the Horn of Africa and the Sahel The Asia programme seeks to help Europe recalibrate its relationship with China and its Asian partners The programme analyses China’s domestic situation It also places a renewed emphasis on fostering Europe’s relationships with the Indo-Pacific The European Power programme is focused on helping Europeans develop sustainable policy solutions to the issues affecting the European Union’s capacity to act with unity on the global scene This includes analysing the path forward for enlargement The Middle East and North Africa programme seeks to support a coherent European agenda in pursuit of regional interests The programme works with European and regional governments and civil society to advance channels of dialogue as well as providing direct policy prescriptions to secure conflict de-escalation The US programme helps Europeans create policy responses to developments in US domestic politics and foreign policy The programme seeks to strengthen transatlantic relations by exploring the obstacles to a more balanced partnership and developing ideas to overcome them The Wider Europe programme aims to help the European Union defend its interests and values in the Western Balkans as well as the South Caucasus and central Asia The programme also supports EU decision-makers work on a unified and coherent policy to address the challenges resulting from Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine Classic power structures are being upended The United Nations and other multilateral institutions are paralysed by historically low levels of trust And while the current world is seemingly fracturing and the proliferation of biological and nuclear weapons are only some of many issues that demand decisive global action What is an effective foreign policy in such a world Norway has chosen a path based on an overarching analysis: that the only way to ensure real peace and stability and overcoming global threats is to engage broadly enhance international law and rejuvenate global institutions Some will likely dismiss this as hopelessly altruistic detached from any realistic concept of human nature Norway’s foreign policy is squarely rooted in our national self-interest But a world order governed by the laws of the jungle or splintering into competing and parallel orders is something we would do well to avoid Norway is in many ways a conventional member of the Western alliance we are founding member of NATO and have long been a reliable security partner to North American and European allies We are deeply integrated into the European Union’s single market as a member of the European Economic Area We have been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine in its effort to repel Russia from its sovereign territory we also differ from at least some of our peer countries: One our willingness to undertake partnerships with a diverse range of countries including those whose interests are distinctly at odds with our own including a belief that these norms can only be sustained as a shared vocabulary if states avoid double standards in their invocation and application a firm belief in rejuvenating global institutions so they can serve as real generators of collaborative solutions These three facets of our foreign policy have become more pronounced under the current Norwegian government in which I serve as deputy foreign minister to pursue regular dialogue with the Taliban and Hamas as well as other armed groups and states not known for their human rights or international law credentials Sometimes this has put us at odds with other Western partners But we believe it is the right path towards a more equitable and peaceful order—Norway is the world’s largest per capita donor to the multilateral system—but also towards greater security at home The influence of non-Western countries is growing the days when the West could construct solutions to global challenges and impose them on others are definitively over talking to all actors is in our self-interest This reflects a deliberate and principled commitment to fostering dialogue This strategy is rooted in several interrelated considerations it creates pathways for negotiation and solutions that might otherwise remain closed such engagement helps us understand the motivations including those who present as adversaries it contributes to a more interconnected and cooperative global society one that moves beyond divisive notions of “us” and “them,” and fosters shared engagement across diverse perspectives and contexts Norway’s approach recognises that the world is simply too dangerous and fraught with problems to engage only with states and stakeholders with which one mostly agrees This means that our relations with some countries necessarily become compartmentalised we have developed a strong partnership to identify durable solutions to the climate crisis Earlier this year Norway and China agreed to establish a formalised dialogue to collaborate on the green transition We are nevertheless also determined to continue to call out Chinese human rights violations and other breaches of international law A low threshold for engaging with other countries makes it easier to grasp others’ decisions Some read a statement such as “we need to understand what motivated Hamas to attack Israel on October 7” as somehow expressing sympathy for Hamas But understanding the motivations of others is a prerequisite for both influencing their behaviour and identifying intelligent policy responses Many tragic policy decisions stem from unwillingness to grasp the vantage point of adversarial actors The ability to understand what is driving those with whom you disagree without agreeing or sympathising with them is even more crucial as global affairs become more multipolar and plural The Norwegian approach to the Houthis and their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea is illustrative including numerous ones on Norwegian ships we have continued our longstanding and broad engagement with Yemeni actors We have used this channel of communication to condemn We have stressed that it is not only undermining the long sought-after peace agreement with Saudi Arabia; it is also damaging to the Palestinian cause insofar as is deflects attention from the Palestinian plight and gives momentum to those advocating for military solutions which would only hurt the Palestinian population further Our discussions with the Houthis have also confirmed that a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is the only way to end the attacks in the Red Sea It is simply impossible to degrade the Houthis sufficiently through military pressure alone our engagement with the Houthis has enabled us to convey salient points refine our own analysis and adjust our policies accordingly Facilitating peace and de-escalation has become harder in today’s world which everyone agrees would have devastating regional and global repercussions and various militia groups in Iraq and Syria These actors are heavily armed; they have their own idiosyncrasies and calculations Strategies that focus only on degrading them by military means may sound resolute and tough but very rarely work unless they are complemented by diplomatic efforts Norway’s approach has therefore been to support military operations which we consider effective but also keeping channels of communication open Engaging militias or other non-state armed entities can prove particularly useful when such groups later assume positions of power As part of our engagement with Syria during and after the Syrian civil war Norway established a broad range of relationships with Syrian stakeholders One of them was with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which now controls most of Syria This has put Norway in a unique position of influence and access which we can use to foster Syrian inclusive government and regional stability Engagement can also help dispel the so called “attribution error problem” whereby states tend to interpret behaviour very differently based on whether it can be attributed to a friend or adversary A virtuous deed by a friendly actor is often interpreted as a reflection of that actor’s inherently benign nature or legitimate interests An unwelcome act is conversely excused and contextualised as an unfortunate error or a misunderstanding The opposite is true for adversarial actors where we regularly treat acts we consider nefarious as expressions of character but point to context and tactical considerations as explanations for actions we appreciate The dynamics created by attribution error often create tribal connections between groups of states They also cement adversarial relationships Engaging directly with a wide range of actors can reveal the complex motivational factors that drive behaviour This in turn makes diplomatic solutions easier to identify as opposed to when a counterpart is determined to be inherently evil Norway has lost no time in criticising the group’s dismal human rights record But we are also convinced that any effective Afghan strategy must involve discussion and dialogue with the Taliban Western countries have responded mostly with sanctions and isolation The response by the Taliban has been to ratchet up their repression including by hosting meetings between the Taliban and Afghan civil society and women’s rights organisations The discussions have been direct and candid and have often taken place on the request of Afghan civil society groups themselves Repressive states and groups are almost never monolithic creatures Even the most despotic group is fragmented with some elements more inclined to compromise and amenability Our task is finding ways to unlock those positive forces A fundamental insight based on our experience is that repressive states and groups are almost never monolithic creatures It is vital to insist continuously on probing all relevant actors always looking for ways to strengthen reformist elements within the structures of power we typically strive to create a dynamic whereby one party takes incremental steps towards compromise which can unlock the other side’s willingness to respond in kind The objective is to create an atmosphere of trust so that the parties are comfortable taking further steps towards mutual de-escalation and reconciliation.        Norway is sometimes criticised for engaging with states and groups responsible for grave human rights violations or even atrocities The criticism is usually that our engagement gives credibility to those we talk to we must be extremely careful not to reward those responsible for abuses against civilians That can entail skipping the usual pomp and obligatory niceties that often characterise diplomatic encounters And we always abide by our obligations as a state party to the International Criminal Court and other mechanisms of accountability But we must also dispense with the notion that direct engagement equals explicit or tacit approval of our interlocutors direct communication usually allows for clearer messages of disapproval than does disengagement Talking to states and armed groups that are embroiled in conflict does not guarantee a positive outcome But isolation almost certainly guarantees that nothing will be accomplished Talking with everyone and engaging adversaries is critical to solving global challenges but insufficient without a shared normative vocabulary That is why this “Norwegian way” also relies closely on the framework of international law this shared vocabulary can only be sustained if all states avoid double standards in its invocation and application We must therefore be consistent in our efforts to abide by international rules even when doing so is difficult to reconcile with our short-term political interests and priorities But avoiding so-called double standards is paramount if international law is to remain a credible framework It certainly entails that we insist similar cases be treated similarly and that all states be subject to the same rules Our support for Ukraine against Russia is based on international law The same is true of our criticism of Hamas’ terror against Israel and Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and military campaign in Gaza Norway’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood should also be seen as part and parcel of a policy of consistent application of the law A two-state solution requires a Palestinian and an Israeli state as outlined by the UN partition plan of 1947 Norway formally recognised the State of Israel in 1949 and voted in favour of Israeli membership to the UN the same year Norway has been a steadfast supporter of Israeli statehood and security Our support for Israel and the two-state solution entails that we now grant the same rights and obligations to Palestine the Palestinian people have a legitimate right to self-determination Some counter that the world is fraught with peril perhaps especially smaller ones such as Norway should be careful not to alienate their allies and partners even when they act inconsistently with international law But real security depends ultimately on a peaceful international community equipped to resolve global challenges That in turn requires that we work to ensure international law is respected That would invariably lead to less security and more uncertainty for everyone Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories are just two of many contemporary examples To turn this trend around states must put their rivalries And states must be consistent in their defence of international law and not overlook transgressions just because they are perpetrated by one’s own “tribe” this has meant condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine but also calling out Israeli violations of international law against Palestinians A further part of upholding this shared vocabulary is recognising the basic reality that the current world order is heavily tilted against the global south Norway takes these concerns seriously and is committed to identifying broad-ranging solutions A case in point is our openness to a process in the UN to negotiate global taxation rules This issue has thus far been negotiated primarily within the OECD an organisation with mostly Western members It is simply untenable in today’s world for rules governing issues such as taxation and artificial intelligence to be developed without all the world’s countries sitting around the same table as participants of equal stature That neither Africa nor Latin America is represented amongst the permanent members of the UN Security Council is perhaps the most obvious example of why we must put institutional reform at the top of on the agenda to sustain multilateralism Some will see Norway’s emphasis on functioning global institutions and respect for international law as overly idealistic especially in an age of crisis when states’ natural inclination can be to retreat behind barricades as it is precisely in an age of crisis that this is most valuable—and mutual alienation least affordable One should also avoid being too bleak about the current situation International law is still overwhelmingly respected States continue to use international courts to settle disputes and most international court decisions are complied with And states that chose to ignore the law are often met with widespread condemnation Countries still look to the UN and other global institutions to resolve global problems The world order born of the ashes of second world war is not dead And this time we cannot wait for a world crisis before taking decisive action this continues to persuade us of the value of the Norwegian way: talking to those with whom we disagree upholding the shared principles of international law and strengthening the UN and other global institutions That we do so as a proud member of the Western alliance is no contradiction It is all about sovereignty: shaping our global circumstances both through cooperation with like-minded partners and through upholding that dialogue with others who are far from like-minded—as well as the multilateral and international legal systems that underpin this engagement in the first place there is always an impulse to settle for transactional short-term wins This impulse is arguably stronger now than at any point in recent history because of the widespread perception that the current multilateral paradigm is cracking due to intensifying geopolitical rivalries when there is a global tendency to isolate lean into nationalism and discard the rules “is no more possible than dry water or wooden iron.” We Norwegians beg to differ Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik has been Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister since August 2023 and is a member of the Norwegian Labour Party Be the first to know about our latest publications I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. 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More information on how we process personal data can be found here Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default displaying this content no longer requires manual consent The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Oslo City Council last week voted to liberalise licensing laws in the capital so that bars and restaurants can start serving alcohol from 8am on Sundays and public holidays This means those celebrating May 17th can congregate in bars and restaurants in the city centre for the traditional champagne breakfast rather than having to do so at home Ragnhild Kaski, Secretary General of Av-og-til, Norway's main anti-alcohol campaign group, told public broadcaster NRK that the move seemed likely to increase drunkenness "What we and many other organizations in the alcohol and drug field fear is that more people will move into the city earlier And we know that increased accessibility leads to increased consumption," she said A poll carried out for the group by Ipsos found that 49 percent of respondents felt that drinking played too big a part in the May 17th celebrations "The numbers indicate that people may want to debate whether this is how they want the National Day celebration in Norway or whether it is time to take some action," she said group leader in Oslo for the far-left Red Party and chair of the city's May 17 committee complained that the extra four hours of drinking meant that the Children's Parade when children march past the king in costumes "Is the city council comfortable with the idea that children are going to have to meet adults in a party spirit and under the influence during and after the Children's Parade?" he told NRK after the decision was taken who represents the Labour Party on the city's health and social affairs committee "It's not just about that one glass in the morning but about the special position May 17th has here in the city," he told the broadcaster we in Oslo invite 30,000 children down to the city to join in and celebrate They shouldn't have to worry about drunk people in the city centre."  Different municipalities have different rules about serving alcohol on public holidays and until Oslo's decision to delay the serving of alcohol until 12pm Neither Bergen nor Kristiansand have reduced opening hours on public holidays and Tromsø allows bars to start serving at 9am on May 17th delaying opening times to 1pm on May 17th from 9am alcohol can be served on the day from 12pm said that while she agreed that there was too much drunkenness on May 17th she hoped more liberal licensing hours might actually reduce this the year before and the year before that even when we had the opening time at 12pm," she said "I think we might end up with less consumption We are moving the champagne breakfast from private homes to pavement bars where there are laws that regulate intake."  Do you think too much drinking is spoiling Norway's May 17th celebrations Do you think Oslo's more liberal opening hours will make a difference Please log in here to leave a comment 2023 The 15th Annual Oslo Freedom Forum Is In The Books Our community of human rights defenders and democracy advocates reunited in Oslo attendees heard talks from leading activists and industry leaders explored interactive art and tech installations and discussed the struggle for freedom through exciting panels and workshops You can re-watch all theater talks at oslofreedomforum.com and on our YouTube page Share these links with your family and friends so they can hear these incredible stories for themselves We encourage you to celebrate and support activists beyond the Oslo Freedom Forum represented a call to action for our community inviting you to unite with the brave dissidents and human rights defenders challenging authoritarianism worldwide We hope you can join us in Oslo for the next Oslo Freedom Forum. Register with the code 2024OFF before December 31 And mark your calendars for the next five years I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here Norway is deeply embedded in Western security structures and stands firmly with Ukraine against Russian aggression But its ‘Norwegian model’ of foreign policy—engaging in dialogue with actors and countries whose values and interests contradict its own—is unique This week Mark Leonard welcomes Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik Norway’s deputy foreign minister and member of the Norwegian Labour Party to discuss the country’s distinct approach to diplomacy and international engagement How does it serve Norway in a world of geopolitical fracture and crises How does Norway benefit from talking to almost everyone—and what is the risk of not having these conservations This episode was recorded on January 28 2025 The Norwegian way: Why Oslo talks with everyone and still believes in multilateralism by Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik The Art of Diplomacy: How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements that Changed the World by Stuart Eisenstadt The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice and Britain’s Colonial Legacy by Philip Sands Non-Zero: The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright I consent to receiving the selected ECFR newsletters and to the analysis of open & click rates. I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here With increasing student and staff demand for access to AI tools like ChatGPT the University of Oslo (UiO) decided to create its own highly secure GPT chat Using a combination of Azure OpenAI Service the UiO team built a compliant AI environment to safely create and integrate models into the unique GPT UiO service Because of the high levels of privacy and personalized experiences the university’s students and faculty actively use GPT UiO for research the rapid rise of generative AI tools has fueled concerns about security and meeting strict international compliance regulations With its emphasis on promoting groundbreaking research and helping both students and faculty excel with cutting-edge technology the University of Oslo (UiO) felt this pressure too and we’re focused on preparing them for the future through innovation in learning,” says Omid Mirmotahari we went from no access to AI to everybody can access it.” “We needed a way to encourage productive AI experiences for our users while safeguarding research and the privacy of students and staff,” says Pål Fugelli UiO decided to create its own solution, prioritizing Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Because UiO was already using Microsoft Azure for its technology infrastructure “We were confident that with Azure we could swiftly build a secure custom solution for AI-assisted education and research purposes.” The creation of GPT UiO began with a design sprint “We wanted to account for how it might be used for short- and long-term research and preparing lectures,” says Katrine Nordeide Kuiper it was important for us to consider everything from individual user privacy and personalization to plagiarism.” Using a combination of Azure OpenAI Service the team built a compliant AI environment to safely create models and experiment “This gave us a lot of freedom to customize,” says Fugelli and training data are not available to other people or used to improve models or any third-party products or services “Azure OpenAI Service makes it easy to switch between models and accommodate the needs associated with different user scenarios.” It also supports the team’s ability to make specific settings in the Azure portal we easily set specific attributes for our tenants in Azure such as location and data handling,” explains Lauvstad Sættem He notes that the Azure OpenAI interface simplified content filter customization In addition to supporting UiO model creation, testing, and deployment, Azure OpenAI Service bolstered the seamless integration of machine learning models into the unique GPT UiO service. “It helps us manage the load between multiple datacenters in Europe while maintaining high levels of privacy,” says Lauvstad Sættem UiO took its commitment to privacy a step further with the decision to secure its data on-premises, using its own Postgres database platform. To support deployment, it turned to Azure AI Foundry “We used Azure AI Foundry to set up deployments in different regions,” says Fugelli “It was easy to choose regions that suited us and configure the content filter.” “We built and launched GPT UiO in just nine weeks,” says Bergsager We used Azure AI Foundry to set up deployments in different regions It was easy to choose regions that suited us and configure the content filter and gaining support through ongoing conversations with the GPT and sharing custom instructions in the tool Educators are using it to inspire and enhance research and lectures “GPT UiO is helping students and employees be more efficient with the ease of diving deeper into subjects Because GPT UiO aligns with data classification requirements used by higher education institutions across Europe, Bergsager says it’s also opened the unexpected opportunity for UiO to become an ISV appreciating that we did the heavy lifting for them,” he says we moved quickly from ideation to production to now having many thousands of daily users,” concludes Nordeide Kuiper “With this foundation to create customized AI solutions we’re excited about enhancing future learning experiences.” we moved quickly from ideation to production to now having many thousands of daily users We are Microsoft Empowering others Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker will explore the theme “Imagine.” In authoritarian regimes even the simple act of imagining a better future can be seen as a threat Dictators fear this because meaningful change begins when people dare to envision something greater for themselves and future generations Imagination is wild and free — an unstoppable force in contrast to the cold confining grip of authoritarianism under which 72% of the world’s population still lives but they cannot shackle minds or extinguish the human spirit This is why the voices of human rights advocates taking the stage at the Oslo Konserthus they will speak not only to expose the suffering caused by dictatorships but also to defend democracy and light the way toward a freer future To imagine is to take the first step toward seeing the world as it should be — not as it is At the heart of every powerful civil society movement lies a shared belief: that all human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights This conviction shapes a collective vision rooted in the universality of human rights and free world is the first step toward building it together As Human Rights Foundation Chairman Emeritus Václav Havel once said we must live “as if” there is no oppression Find regular updates about the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum at oslofreedomforum.com and on social media.  If you are interested in sponsoring the Oslo Freedom Forum, please contact [email protected]. If you are interested in attending as a member of the media, please contact [email protected] SWONCRAYNNOT FOR RELEASE PUBLICATIONORDISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL The final offer period for the recommended voluntary offer of SoftwareOneHolding AG SWON to acquire all outstanding shares of Crayon expirestomorrow, 6 May 2025, at 16:30 CEST. The offer period under the offer expires tomorrow, 6 May 2025, at 16:30 CEST. The offer period will not be further extended. As previously announced, SoftwareOne has decided to waive the closingconditionrelating to minimum acceptance of the offer. Indicative timetable 14 March - 6 May 2025 Tender offer period, as extended16 May 2025 SoftwareOne AGMJune 2025 Completion of transaction, subject to receipt of requiredregulatoryapprovals AdvisorsJefferies is acting as financial advisor to SoftwareOne. Pareto Securities isacting as Nordic advisor and receiving agent to SoftwareOne in connection withthe Offer. Walder Wyss is acting as legal advisor to SoftwareOne, with WikborgRein advising as to Norwegian law and Freshfields as to regulatory matters. ABG Sundal Collier and Houlihan Lokey are acting as financial advisors and AGPAdvokater is acting as legal advisor to Crayon. CONTACT SoftwareOne Anna Engvall, Investor RelationsTel. +41 44 832 41 37, anna.engvall@softwareone.com FGS Global, Media Relations Tel. +41 44 562 14 99, press.softwareone@fgsglobal.com Crayon Kjell Arne Hansen, Investor Relations Tel. +47 950 40 372, kjellarne.hansen@crayon.com https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/645221 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Architecture Engineering\n& Construction\nIntegrated BIM tools Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD Design & Make with Autodesk a shining example of structured collaboration and governmental unity through innovative architecture Oslo’s new Regjeringskvartal government quarter balances historical significance and modernity Image courtesy of Nordic Office of Architecture Oslo’s new Regjeringskvartal government quarter will be a shining example of structured collaboration and sustainability in the built environment The project’s 150-plus architects and engineers must work in enforced isolation hemmed in by strict national security rules around data sharing Needing to work offline presented significant coordination challenges the project’s building information modeling (BIM) experts created a custom add-in for Autodesk Revit and tailored scripts to automate thousands of manual tasks ensuring model consistency saving 10,000 work hours The Oslo terror attacks in July 2011 left 77 people dead and 200 injured and rendered several government buildings unusable More than 1,800 civil servants found themselves without a workspace—including the Prime Minister Safe premises had to be secured around the city for six entire ministries disrupting operations and upending long-established workflows planners at the Statsbygg (Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property) proposed a bold vision: build a new government quarter that would strengthen the existing site’s symbolic and historic status while representing a positive future direction The project would be an affirmation of Norwegian values: freedom and sustainable architecture built at a human scale But state rules around data protection and national security meant managing design and construction would need a decidedly un-open approach teams had to be broken up into task groups with a well-defined division of labor Information sharing happened on a need-to-know basis and siloed working became the order of the day Making it a success would require innovation and a willingness to rethink systems and processes in the pursuit of a common goal Now under construction, the new Regjeringskvartal (RKV) quarter is being expanded to include seven buildings connected by interlinked public spaces Five new builds will be linked to two heritage buildings set for refurbishment By gathering all national government ministries into one concentrated government center planners aim to embed organizational flexibility that will allow for future changes while also simplifying physical interactions between people and departments How would citizens react to even more dramatic change Respecting historical continuity became an important principle with G-blokken (1906) and Høyblokken (1958) damaged in the 2011 attack and memorialized in the public imagination These buildings are considered important period statements worthy of preservation Both are being modernized and integrated with the rest of the 125,000-square-meter site The end result will be a ring of interconnected government buildings that while taller than the historic city center incorporate stepped facades and terraced levels to harmonize with the existing urban scale at street level The design re-establishes historic pedestrian routes and creates new connections integrating the Government Quarter with Oslo’s surrounding city fabric through carefully considered passageways and public spaces Open green spaces make the site accessible to the public from all sides while a series of bridges on each building’s first floor create a continuous connected working environment The vision is for open and horizontal spaces that promote collaboration yet the 12-firm consortium tasked with bringing the project to life also had to adopt management practices constricted by tough state security protocols Norwegian security laws forbid cloud services and online storage for confidential building projects like this so access to systems had to be strictly controlled you name it—had to stay offline,” says Morten Ræder senior architect at Nordic Office of Architecture and the project’s interdisciplinary BIM coordinator “The design teams had to be split into silos and information shared on a need-to-know basis which in today’s international political situation obviously has grown increasingly important.” Statsbygg’s digital strategy demands a model-centric approach to design processes to keep workflows lean and everyone working from one single source of truth With more than 100 design models being worked on by 150 or more architects and engineers across 12 partners and multiple contractors offline working threatened to become a serious obstacle to efficiency and timelines offline working requires more face time and introduces technical complexity To keep meetings to a minimum and still maximize efficiency maintaining model consistency across diverse teams and reducing the need for manual oversight.” Revit’s customizable automation scripts allowed Ræder’s team to streamline tedious tasks such as tagging data objects with different project properties An add-on was created to automatically update hundreds of thousands of discipline objects without the need for human intervention The project's success was greatly facilitated by having developers with architectural and engineering backgrounds embedded within the design group working directly with end users and the client's IT department Transforming tagging from a chore to an automated process reduced the need for manual labor and increased data accuracy It also gave architects and engineers more time to focus on the creative and intellectually stimulating aspects of the project when so many people are working with so many models Autonomous design teams all work from the same Revit templates so an extensive master data file was created to ensure the settings for 100-plus models were standardized The Revit add-in and bespoke scripts handled this referencing master data rules for consistency then ensuring any changes entered in one model were seamlessly and bi- directionally updated across all referenced models “This really made quality assurance faster and easier,” adds Ræder “Instead of tagging thousands of individual objects we’d update just a few mass objects and that would sync across models automatically.” Cutting out repetitive manual tasks has enabled Ræder to keep his building information modeling (BIM) team lean Headcount savings and significant reductions in manual data handling have saved more than 10,000 hours and more than $4 million in project costs The bespoke add-in and automation scripts are also making it easier to hit the client’s BREEAM sustainability objectives Significant design-stage sustainability outcomes have been achieved which need reliable design and engineering data to forecast accurately Projected energy consumption has been reduced to 52 kilowatt hours per square meter per year The site’s lifecycle carbon footprint has been reduced by 34% Expected water runoff has been reduced by a whopping of 95% when compared to the existing site “Working in an offline environment was more restrictive than we initially thought the surprises have been positive,” Ræder says “I was truly amazed by how well everyone worked together but also with the client’s IT department and the contractors’ BIM coordinators Everyone went above and beyond to make things work and they’ve taken our work even further onsite Seeing that level of collaboration and innovation was inspiring.” Mark de Wolf is a freelance journalist and award-winning copywriter specializing in technology stories Learn how companies are designing and making a better world through innovation; keep up with accelerating technological advancements; and discover insights about the drivers of change impacting your industry We use cookies to guarantee the best experience and improve the performance of our website. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. In June 2024, more than 150 peacemakers, diplomats, experts, and conflict parties from 60 countries gathered in Norway to address the pressing challenges facing global peace efforts, particularly the increasing difficulty of conflict resolution in an era marked by escalating armed conflicts. The Oslo Forum 2024 report provides a comprehensive overview of two days of intensive discussions focused on the complexities of polarised conflict environments. The report captures key insights on the growing impact of geopolitical competition on local and regional conflicts, as well as the importance of diverse mediation strategies. The 2024 edition also underscores the necessity of sustained dialogue and innovative, localised approaches to peace. It emphasises the need for collective action and collaboration, recognising that the complexity of modern conflicts requires efforts from states, private mediation actors, and regional organisations. Regional approaches to peace and security were also a key focus, particularly in Africa and Asia. Key thematic sessions explore how peacemakers can adapt to new realities, including mediating with criminal groups and maintaining dialogue in fragmented and polarised political contexts. Additionally, the report covers the situation in Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East in the context of the ongoing Gaza war, offering a detailed look at the urgent need for continued diplomatic engagement in these regions. A new feature of the Oslo Forum 2024 was a series of tabletop exercises that addressed emerging issues in conflict mediation. These included the digital frontlines of conflict and the growing impact of social media on peace and processes. Alongside summaries of the sessions and photographs from the retreat, the report includes a background paper on ceasefires—an especially timely topic given the increasing reluctance of conflict parties to pursue comprehensive political settlements. Co-hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HD, the Forum brings together the international mediation and peacemaking community to reflect on current practices, work on new approaches and advance their negotiations. To foster informed and open dialogue, all discussions take place under the Chatham House Rule. Contact the team at osloforum@hdcentre.org. The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) works to prevent and resolve armed conflicts around the world through mediation and discreet diplomacy. The Sprint Score title, her first discipline globe in 10 years added something very special to the day. “It means really a lot, especially since so much happened to me in those years. I had some doubts about biathlon and now to have this season is really nice. To win the Globe…now I feel a little bit more relieved. The honorary doctorate was conferred during a ceremony at the University of Oslo's Annual Celebration on 2 September 2024 after Dr Hatchett had given a keynote speech on the theme of “From Pathogens to Policies: Enhancing Biosecurity in an Age of Emerging Threats” CEPI’s strong partnership with Norway  The doctorate exemplifies the close ties between Norway and CEPI The Norwegian Government is one of CEPI’s ‘founding fathers’ and played a vital role as a sponsor and initial investor at the Coalition’s launch in 2017.  The global need for an organization like CEPI was recognized after the devastating West AfricanEbola epidemic in 2014-15 which killed more than 11,000 people. The world’s response to this crisis fell tragically short: a vaccine that had been under development for more than a decade was not deployed until over a year into the epidemic The Norwegian Institute of Public Health was a central collaborator in a clinical trial of the vaccine in Guinea which was shown to be nearly 100% effective suggesting that much of the devastation caused by the epidemic could have been prevented.  Championed by Norway, CEPI was established as the result of a consensus that a coordinated, international, and intergovernmental plan was needed to develop and deploy new vaccines to prevent future epidemics. The Coalition has since expanded significantly with financial backing from over 30 national governments philanthropic organisations and private sector partners Norway’s unwavering support for CEPI reflects the country’s decades-long commitment to improving global health and promoting equitable access to vaccines and has enabled the Coalition to become a cornerstone of global health security and pandemic preparedness.  As a new exhibition celebrating the portraits of Edvard Munch opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery we take a trip to the artist’s home city in Norway The late winter sky is like a watercolour: soft blue and grey clouds layer together with a sweeping gradient of yellow verging from tobacco stain to pale lemon above the distant I look out over Oslo and listen for a scream The Scream. Photograph: Halvor Bjørngård /Rena LiIn 1892, Edvard Munch took a walk in this same park as the sun was setting he wrote that he heard “a great and infinite scream through nature” The experience became the basis of his most enduring painting Nobody knows if the scream was real – there was a hospital nearby – or imagined all I hear are the delighted squeals of children playing on the hillside amid joggers and walkers traversing the leaf-strewn footpaths of the park As the National Portrait Gallery holds a new exhibition of Munch’s portraits, I’m in Oslo walking in the footsteps of the artist. Munch is inescapable: at Clarion Hotel Oslo an Andy Warhol version of The Scream graces the lobby – the pop artist was a huge fan – and a photograph of Marina Abramović’s interpretation greets me at breakfast From the viewpoint, as the sky falls in a blanket around me, the city’s prime Munch attraction is clearly visible. While the shapes of the islands and borders of the Oslofjord are recognisably the same as those in the background of The Scream, the Munch Museum – known as simply Munch – stands out amid the new modern buildings on the Bjørvika waterfront to look like it’s bowing to the city of Oslo takes me on a tour of the extensive collection other highlights of the Munch Museum include a vast room showing sketches of the Aula paintings considered his masterworks“Munch was unique in how he captured a shift in generations and perception,” Sid says “He’s documenting humanity at a time when belief and institutions are collapsing.” is still relevant today: from his ability to paint the emotional landscape of his sitters with a particular focus on mental health to his belief that there was no separation between humankind and nature another version of The Scream is on display – he made eight in total – under the watchful eyes of two security guards Another version of the painting was stolen from this gallery in 1994 when police attention was otherwise occupied by the Lillehammer Winter Olympics which is open to the public one Saturday a month from February-May There’s something about the sound of the sea the rocky shoreline of the Oslofjord and the apple trees that give a great sense of calm plagued by ill health and mental health issues all his life I walk past apple trees to a rugged shoreline littered with mussel shells where interpretive boards show Munch's paintings set against viewsHe bought the white house here in 1910 which remarkably is rented out to holidaymakers in summer the carefully restored bright yellow walls and white lace curtains served as backdrops for many of his portraits I walk past the apple trees to a rugged shoreline littered with mussel shells where interpretive boards show his paintings set against the views I feel I could walk past the subject of one of my favourite Munch paintings Before I leave, I pay my respects at his grave at Our Saviour’s cemetery I wonder what he might have created were he alive today his love of self-portraits would mean only one thing: “He would be a selfie king.” which offers local transport as well as entry into museums and galleries (from £40 for 24h) Edvard Munch Portraits is at the National Portrait Gallery 13 March-5 June (£21/£23.50 with donation) Helicopters whirred overhead and armed police blocked off city streets as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lengthy motorcade headed for the prime minister’s residence in Oslo on Wednesday Once there he received a warm welcome from Norwegian government leaders Zelensky’s visit came as a surprise to many but key Norwegian ministers were well-prepared including Norway’s new finance minister He and Zelensky met numerous times while Stoltenberg served as secretary general of NATO do you remember me?” Stoltenberg joked as Zelensky followed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr up the stairs at the government’s official guest house and residence compound “Life is full of surprises,” responded Zelensky before the two embraced amid smiles and laughter Zelensky also hugged Norway’s foreign minister and shook hands with the new Norwegian defense minister Tore O Sandvik Before they all went into a meeting to discuss what Zelensky said would be “the United States and security guarantees” for Ukraine he and Støre sat down for some opening remarks grounded in mutual admiration Støre stressed that he and his government were “welcoming a friend today a friend in a struggle for some obvious European and international rights to lead an independent and sovereign state.” The Norwegian prime minister further stressed Norway’s “unanimous support in Parliament” to keep helping Ukraine in its defense and development “Norway is on Ukraine’s side in the very dramatic situation,” Støre said adding that he and his colleagues looked forward “to these hours in Oslo to talk abour how we work together and how we can move towards peace.” Zelensky, who also just met with leaders of Finland, expressed his gratitude to Norway, saying he agreed “100 percent” with Støre that “we are real friends.” The Ukrainian leader also said that financial support from Norway (just boosted by the equivalent of NOK 50 billion to NOK 85 billion this year alone) will be used for weapon production in Ukraine and to strengthen Ukraine’s energy supplies and security for Norway’s “energy support” since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago also shares a border with Russia and had long had relatively good relations but they collapsed when Russia invaded Ukraine which has long wanted to remain on good terms with all its neighbours but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed everything Støre told Zelensky once again that “you fight for values that are very important to us,” adding that “we share your goal” for a free and independent Ukraine Støre also wants Ukraine “to have a big place at the (negotiating) table” in the wake of Tuesday’s lengthy phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the new US President Donald Trump Støre also called for “a strong European voice” in the peace process Zelensky said a the press conference that new talks involving the US Russia and Ukraine this time are planned for Monday in Saudi Arabia He seemed encouraged after his own conversation with Trump earlier this week but said in Oslo that he doesn’t think Russia will go along with a cease-fire Zelensky nonetheless stressed the importance of “trying to take steps in the right direction,” adding that Ukraine has proposed that a cease-fire can begin at sea and in the air The Ukrainian president also hasn’t given up on NATO membership despite Putin’s strong resistance Zelensky told reporters in Oslo that NATO membership would solve a lot of problems and he thinks it’s sad that Ukraine isn’t a member of the defense alliance already mentioned at the press conference that Norway was using its own “good and close relation” to the US at many levels for the benefit of Ukraine “We have a close alliance with the USA with many contacts that I think are important to use.” Asked whether Norway might take on a peace-broking role that’s not what I’m talking about here.” Zelensky was also meeting with Crown Prince Haakon at the Royal Palace in Oslo Thursday afternoon The crown prince has the additional role as “regent” this week since his father NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund If you like what we are doing, please consider a donation. 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