(Oslo): At the invitation of the Government of Norway, Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, led an ASEAN Secretariat delegation undertook a working visit to Norway, from 9-12 June 2025.
On this occasion, the secretary general of ASEAN expressed his appreciation to the Committee for its active role and contributions in raising ASEAN’s visibility and profile in Norway, as well as for strengthening ASEAN–Norway relations. He also shared insights on ways to enhance the ASEAN–Norway sectoral dialogue partnership and briefed the Committee on recent developments within ASEAN.
Following the meeting with ACO, Kao Kim Hourn delivered remarks during a luncheon with ACO members and other key stakeholders, including the ASEAN–Norway Business Council. He emphasised ASEAN’s unwavering commitment to deepening its partnership with Norway in the future.
In the morning of 10 June 2025, in Oslo, Kao Kim Hourn paid a courtesy call on and held bilateral talks with Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway. The two sides exchanged views on regional and global developments and explored ways to further strengthen ASEAN–Norway relations, especially as both sides commemorate the 10th anniversary of their sectoral dialogue partnership this year.
He also met with Cecilie Myrseth, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry. Their discussions focused on current global economic developments and explored tangible ways to boost trade and investment ties between ASEAN and Norway, including through enhanced cooperation in the green transition, blue economy, digitalisation, and joint planning for the implementation of the ASEAN–EFTA Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation.
In the afternoon of 10 June 2025, Kao Kim Hourn held discussions with members of the Norwegian Parliament, led by Åslaug Sem-Jacobsen. The secretary general commended the active participation of Norwegian parliamentarians in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as observers, and their contributions towards promoting green and sustainable economic cooperation.
He also thanked Sem-Jacobsen for her participation in the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) leadership forum during the AIPA General Assembly in October 2024. This demonstrated the shared commitment of ASEAN and Norway to gender equality, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Kao underlined the importance of ASEAN–Norway cooperation in aligning legislative priorities and reiterated ASEAN’s support for deeper engagement with the Norwegian Parliament through AIPA.
Later that day, he met with Erna Solberg, Deputy Head of the Norwegian AIPA delegation. He welcomed Norway’s strong commitment to ASEAN as a sectoral dialogue partner and AIPA observer, noting its proactive role in advancing sustainability, peace, and environmentally sound development.
Kao Kim Hourn acknowledged Norway’s support for the development of green transport systems in ASEAN and encouraged further collaboration in other areas, such as political-security and economic affairs. He reaffirmed ASEAN’s support for strengthening parliamentary cooperation with Norway through AIPA, particularly in harmonising legislative priorities for regional peace and prosperity.
He also participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), where he spoke on ASEAN’s priorities and initiatives, including “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”. He exchanged views on regional and global trends of interest to participants.
Later, he delivered a keynote address at NUPI’s Geopolitics Centre, focusing on recent developments in ASEAN. His address highlighted key milestones and challenges in ASEAN–Norway relations and encouraged discussion on emerging regional and global issues.
On the afternoon of 10 June 2025, he met with Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway. They exchanged views on ASEAN–Norway relations and explored avenues to deepen the sectoral dialogue partnership.
On the morning of 11 June 2025, in Oslo, he met with Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2025. The two sides exchanged views on current ASEAN–Ukraine relations and emphasised the importance of closer cooperation to strengthen engagement and deliver mutual benefits to both peoples.
Also on the morning of 11 June 2025, Kao Kim Hourn delivered remarks at the Oslo Forum 2025 during a session entitled “Derisking Disorder: Asia’s Playbook for Conflict Prevention and Management”, highlighting ASEAN’s strategies for conflict prevention and resolution.
On the afternoon of 11 June 2025, in Bergen, Norway, Kao Kim Hourn held meetings with representatives from various companies and institutions to discuss the green economy. Both sides exchanged views on encouraging private sector involvement in advancing ASEAN–Norway cooperation in this sector for mutual benefit.
On the morning of 12 June 2025, in Bergen, he visited BIR AS, one of Norway’s largest waste management companies. The visit underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN–Norway collaboration on innovative waste management solutions, with Norway playing a key role in this field.
=FRESH NEWS
