The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Thomas Lid Ball, and Mrs. Camilla Unger hosted a reception at the Royal Norwegian Embassy on the National Day of Norway. Since 1814, May 17 has been celebrated to pay tribute to the Norwegian Constitution, one of the oldest in the world, which marked the beginning of a modern, sovereign, and democratic Norway.
The reception was a fascinating blend of an opulent environment, delicious food imported from Norway, and a serene ambiance. Ambassador Lid Ball welcomed guests and the Norwegians in Saudi Arabia, stating that the growing number of Norwegians in the Kingdom helps to maintain and build a wide and strong network of friends and partners.
In his persuasive speech, H.E. Lid Ball praised the longstanding bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and expressed interest to further relations in the years to come, “I know that I have a joint ambition with Her Excellency Amal Al Moallimi, who is doing a great job as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Norway.”
One of Norway’s key activities in Saudi Arabia is the green transition through a commitment to cut emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by making energy production greener through new technologies, investing in renewables, protecting marine resources, and other initiatives. “We must accelerate our efforts. People in the Middle East, maybe more than anywhere else, already feel the impact of Climate Change. I believe the public awareness will only increase as the next two Climate Summits are taking place in this region,” reasoned the Ambassador.
The Ambassador further reflected on the business community and industries across many sectors as key players in bringing forward the technologies, the know-how, and capacity required to implement the green transition. As an example of sustainable business models, H.E. Lid Ball cited the sponsors of the celebration, Jotun, CNTXT, Interwell, DNV, and Bravo Seafood, who have the expertise, capital, and commitment to sustainability.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Lid Ball honored the Royal Norwegian Family and read the message from the King of Norway. H.E. Ambassador Lid Ball expressed his gratitude to HH Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, diplomats, representatives of foreign missions, and guests.
“I thank you all for joining us to celebrate Norway’s birth as a nation-state, as well as the enduring friendship between the two Kingdoms. Norway enjoys excellent relations with the Kingdom, as we have done since they were officially established back in 1961. I would like to underline that we greatly appreciate our longstanding bilateral relations,” concluded H.E. Thomas Lid Ball.
