Ambassador Dr. Farah Presents Credentials to King of Norway

Dr. Farah Faizal, Maldives Ambassador to the Kingdom of Noway has presented her Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Harald V of Norway.

The ceremony took place in the Royal Palace, on 31 March 2011, during which Ambassador Dr. Faizal was congratulated by His Majesty for her accreditation as the first non-resident Ambassador from the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Norway.

After the ceremony, both exchanged views on the cordial relations that exist between the two countries and on areas of further cooperation. His Majesty was briefed on issues relating to climate change and the measures the government is taking to mitigate the effects of climate change. His Majesty is a keen environmentalist and expressed his concerns in this matter. His Majesty also discussed how climate change is affecting Norway. Further, they spoke of the work carried out by the Norwegian explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl in Maldives.

As per the Norwegian customary diplomatic practice, a small reception was held after the ceremony at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia. Among those who attended were senior officials from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Dušan Rozbora of Slovakia, Honorary Consul of Maldives in Norway, Liv Lindblad, and a Maldivian entrepreneur based in Norway, Champa Afeef.

During the visit, Ambassador Dr. Faizal met with several high-level officials from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Arthur B. Knutsen, Assistant Director-General, Section for Diplomatic Relations, Mr. Atle Leikvoll, Assistant Director-General, Arvinn Gadgil, Political Adviser, Lasse Bjorn Johanessen, Deputy Director-General, Section for South Asia along with the Managing Director of Oslo Chamber of Commerce Lars-Kare Legernes. Ambassador Dr. Faizal also met with the Ambassador of Slovakia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Dušan Rozbora. Ambassador Dr. Faizal also exchanged views with Senior Advisors from the Ministry of the Environment, Vedis Vik, who works extensively on international cooperation, and Marianne Karlsen, who is a notable climate change negotiator.