Annual ‘Norway Means Business’ event held in D.C.

The fourth annual Norway Means Business event took place yesterday in the Embassy's Atlantic Hall, highlighting the contributions of Norwegian companies to a secure supply of critical minerals in the U.S. and allied nations, as well as fostering bilateral cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. The event was organized by the Embassy, NorCham Washington DC, and the Norwegian-American Defense & Homeland Security Industry Council.

The program featured welcome remarks by Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt, keynote speeches from Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie T. Myrseth and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, and reflections from NorCham President Idar Voldnes. Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates, Peter Stahley, moderated the event, with a panel that included Allison "Allie" Kennedy Thurmond, Ph.D. (Vice President of U.S. Lithium, Equinor), Seth Levey (Head of U.S. Government Relations and Corporate Affairs, Glencore), Karl Fossum (Director of Customer Programs, Norsk Titanium), and Heather Armentrout (Head of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace U.S.).

Minister Myrseth emphasized Norway's wealth of minerals essential for defense and technology, and highlighted the significance of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Secretary Blinken and Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide in securing sustainable value chains. Assistant Secretary Pyatt underscored the MoU's potential to deepen cooperation, noting Norway’s role as a vital ally to the United States.