On 23 May, UNOAU met with a Delegation from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Norway to the African Union, Synne Bjørnrå. Discussions focused on Norway’s New Africa Strategy and cooperation between the Embassy of Norway and UNOAU. The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Norway and the UNOAU Deputy Head of Office / Director of Political Affairs, Gerald Mitchell, both stressed the important relationship between UNOAU and Norway and highlighted the joint efforts in supporting the AU in the furtherance of peace and security on the continent.

During the meeting, UNOAU colleagues were asked to share insights on different priority areas to inform Norway’s New Africa Strategy to be adopted by the Government of Norway in 2025. The Delegation of Norway informed that the new strategy would have a broader focus compared to the current strategy, which was developed in 2008 and mainly focused on development cooperation. The new strategy would be expected to address issues of peace and security, development, multilateral cooperation, health, women/youth peace and security, as well as climate change related issues.  It will also draw upon Norway’s recent role in the UN Security Council and its relationship with the A3.