From 12 to 15 December Stoltenberg will visit the South Pole, to celebrate the centenary of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen being the first to reach the South Pole with his team on 14 December 1911. The Prime Minister will underline the crucial role of the Antarctic Continent in understanding global climate change, and focus on the serious consequences that climate change in Antarctica may have for the global climate and sea level. This understanding is crucial for the ability to address global warming.
The Prime Minister arrived at the South Pole on Monday 12 December. He will meet with scientists working at the South Pole, and on Wednesday 14 December he will speak at the centenary celebration.
As a unifying framework for this jubilee year the Norwegian Government decided to establish the Nansen–Amundsen Year 2011. The objective of the celebration is to spread knowledge and create enthusiasm about the lives and work of Nansen and Amundsen. This year will highlight the roles these men played as nation-builders and polar heroes, their contributions to science and literature, as well as Nansen’s humanitarian endeavours and his role as a diplomat and politician. Nearly 130 events have been conducted in Norway and abroad during the year. More about previous and coming events you can read on the website http://www.nansenamundsen.no
See video clips from the Prime Minister's visit at the South Pole here: