A Conversation with the Norwegian Ambassador to Australia, HE Paul Gulleik Larsen

The Australian Institute of International Affairs for WA, Inc. in partnership with the Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce and KPMG, invites you to this special lunch event in the Perth CBD.  

Geography is destiny, but good governance is decisive for nation-states seeking security and prosperity in a challenging world. During 100 years of independence, Norway has engaged in international diplomacy to promote national interests through multilateral co-operation and rules-based relations with other states, large and small. As a small-to-medium-sized power bordering Russia in the north of Europe, Norway has gained experiences which are relevant for other states in a similar situation.

Australia and Norway have historically been likeminded partners, sharing common interests in war and peace, trade and development, including in the United Nations and World Trade Organiation. In an increasingly complex and changing global environment, Australia and Norway are also becoming more strategic partners, through security and business co-operation, as well as in sustainable development. This includes defence, oil and energy industry, much of which is concentrated in Perth, as well as international regimes for the oceans and the Antarctic. With a changing climate and the rise of China among the factors presenting new challenges for foreign policy, the partnership between Norway and Australia has the potential for further development.

*** Capacity at the venue is very limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment! ***

Light lunch provided. 

If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.

About the speaker:

Ambassador Paul Gulleik Larsen is a career diplomat with 27 years of international experience, including Norwegian MFA postings in Belgrade (as Chargé d’affaires 1991-1994), in New York (as Counsellor for Norway in the UN Security Council 2001-2002), and in Moscow (as Deputy Head of Mission 2002-2007). 

Outside the MFA, Paul has served as diplomatic advisor 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, Paul sat in the Strategic Leadership Group and represented WFP in G8, G20 and UN inter-agency bodies. After returning to MFA in Oslo in 2013, Paul served in the UN Department 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 2021-22. 

As Ambassador of Norway in Canberra from September 2018, Paul is responsible for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu and Cook Islands. 
Paul has a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics and a B.A. from the University of Oslo. He received the French Ordre du Mérite Agricole during the French G20 presidency in 2011. Paul is fluent in English, manages in French, and understands Spanish and German. 

This event is proudly in partnership with: