Celebrating World Ocean Day aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl

On June 8th, Ambassador Halvor Hvideberg, Permanent Delegate of Norway to UNESCO, hosted His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Her Royal Highness Crown Princeess Victoria of Sweden, representatives from governments, ambassadors, delegates, science communities, students and many other friends of the ocean aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl. Aboard was also the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO- IOC) who hosted a meeting of the Ocean Decade Alliance.

One Ocean Expedition

The sailing event marked the UN World Ocean Day and showcased the One Ocean Expedition, a circumnavigation by the tall ship Stastsraad Lehmkuhl and a recognised part of the UN decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The One Ocean Expedition aimes at raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the crucial importance of the ocean for a sustainable future on a global scale. The first expedition set sail in 2021 and sailed for two years until 2023.

This year’s expedition is a 12-month voyage from 2025 to 2026 that follows in Roald Amundsen’s footsteps and will sail through the legendary and challenging Northwest Passage in the Arctic.

Amassadors of the One Ocean Expedition during the parade on June 8th were mr. Haakon Vatle, CEO of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl foundation and expedition leader for the expedition, Dr. Lucie Cassarino, a science coordinator for the expedition, Dr. Geir Pedersen, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, Ms. Anne- Marie Karlsen and Ms. Julia Morales- Aguirre, two former students that took part in the first One Ocean Expedition and Dr. Dag Rune Olsen, the rector of the Arctic University of Norway.

Representatives of the Norwegian Government aboard where Deputy Minister of Education and responsible for UNESCO in Norway, Ms. Synnøve Skaar, Minister of International Development Mr. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust and Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Ms. Marianne Sivertsen Næss.

“ We all depend on our common ocean. Norway strongly supports a science-based approach to sustainable ocean management, including sustainable ocean planning, enhanced ocean observation and increased access to ocean data”, said Deputy Minister Ms. Synnøve Skaar.

Norwegian candidacy for the UNESCO board

Norway is a firm supporter of multilateral cooperation and seeks common solutions to global issues. We are committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Norway has been a consistent supporter of UNESCO’s mandate in education, science, culture, communication and information since its founding.

As members of the UNESCO Executive Board, Norway will continue to provide both financial support and expertise and promoting policies that are in line with the values of inclusion, equality, human rights and sustainability.

UNESCO’s efforts to make science and knowledge accessible for all is a step towards achieving the democratisation of knowledge and building knowledge-based societies.

“As a longstanding partner of UNESCO, Norway sees a well-functioning, inclusive and representative multilateral system as essential. UNESCO’s normative role must be protected and strengthened,” said Synnøve Skaar, Deputy Minister of Education in Norway

“Norway fully recognises the global role of the UNESCO- IOC, not least in promoting scientific understanding of the role of the oceans in a changing climate. International scientific cooperation is key to developing sound policies for ocean management”, Skaar continued.