Natural and human resources in focus

- The people-to-people cooperation is what makes the Barents region unique, said Støre after receiving the chairmanship gavel from Bildt. - One of the greatest achievements in the 18 years long history of the Barents cooperation is the normalization of human contact across the borders.

The human dimension in the Barents cooperation is one of the prioritized fields for Norway’s chairmanship in the period 2011-2013. The regions that make up the Barents region are not only enormously rich in natural resources, but also in human resources, knowledge and technological know-how. - Norway will continue to encourage and support the multitude of activities and fields of contact between citizens in the Barents countries, Støre said.

Norway’s chairmanship will also promote sustainable and industrial development in the region. International development, climate change and the global demand for resources have all contributed to the ever-growing attention directed towards the Barents Region. Extraction of metals and minerals and regional processing of raw materials will become even more important. International cooperation is crucial in the development of transport links and logistics, and the Barents cooperation can play a key role in this work.

Environmentally safe and climate-friendly development based on knowledge is another priority. – Our aim is to implement the highest environmental standards using the scientific potential of the region as well as international research and cooperation in this field, the program for Norway’s chairmanship reads. Renewable energy, energy efficiency and work on elimination of environmental “Hot Spots” will be focus areas, as well as work on an action plan for climate change in the Barents region.

See video from press conference