[Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]

H.E. Mr. Paul Gulleik Larsen today presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State, His Highness, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Samoa. The Credentials Ceremony took place this morning, Friday 8 March at the Office of His Highness the Head of State of Samoa in Vailele.

In his remarks during the Ceremony, the Ambassador reflected on his Government’s efforts to strengthen ties between Samoa and Norway especially in the areas of climate change, oceans, sustainable development and peace and security. The Ambassador highlighted the Norwegian Government’s program launched to combat marine plastic pollution in developing countries and the establishment of a Trust Fund in the World Bank to mobilise donors around this cause. He stressed Norway’s commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and also discussed their contributions to the Green Climate Fund.

In accepting Ambassador Larsen’s Letters of Credence, His Highness welcomed the approach and possibilities for strengthening relations between the two countries and encouraged continued collaboration on issues of mutual concern. In particular, His Highness noted that as large ocean States, Samoa and Norway have a responsibility to ensure further marine protection, while also focusing on mitigation measures for the effects of climate change, and promote sustainable fishing practices. His Highness also welcomed the announced visit by the Crown Prince of Norway to Samoa and the Pacific, and conveyed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of His Majesty King Harald V of the Kingdom of Norway and the people of Norway.

Samoa and Norway maintain close work relations in the international fora, particularly at the United Nations, to find solutions to the challenges faced by the global community in the areas of climate change, human rights abuse, terrorism, international peace and security, oceans as well as fostering sustainable development.

Ambassador Paul Gulleik Larsen is a career diplomat with 27 years of international experience, including diplomatic postings in Belgrade (as Chargé d’ affaires 1991-1994); New York (Counsellor for Norway in the UN Security Council 2001-2002); and in Moscow (as Deputy Head of Mission 2002-2007). He also served in the UN Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Project Director for Policy and Coordination of Agenda 2030/SDG and as Special Envoy for Security Council Affairs, responsible for strategy and policy for preparing Norway’s membership of the UN Security Council in 2021-2022.
Outside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Larsen served as a diplomatic adviser in the Office of the Prime Minister of Norway in 1998-1999, and as Chief of Staff and Director at the UN World Food Program (WFP) in Rome 2007-2013. While at WFP, he sat in the Strategic Leadership Group and represented WFP in G8, G20 and UN inter-agency bodies.
H.E Paul Gulleik Larsen was appointed Ambassador of Norway to Australia in September 2018. He is also responsible for New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu and Cook Islands.
Ambassador Larsen has a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics and Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oslo.