NOTE: The Embassy will be closed Wednesday, May 1, 2013 in observation of May Day.
Strong historical ties link Norway and the United States. Between 1825 and 1940, more than one-third of Norway's population emigrated to America. Allies ever since, the two nations fought together in World War II and were co-founders of both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Today, the Embassy in Washington is Norway's largest, with a staff of around 50, including representatives from a number of Norwegian ministries.
His Excellency Wegger Chr. Strommen
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Complete list of Embassy staff
Individuals at the Embassy can be reached through telephone, fax or e-mail:
Telephone number: (202) 333-6000
Fax number: (202) 469-3990
E-mail: emb.washington@mfa.no
Office hours for passport applications: Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm. Please call ahead to check on availability. (For visa applications please contact the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C.)
In an emergency outside of office hours, you will be redirected to the emergency call center of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo, Norway.
Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may contact the Embassy directly regarding passports, visas and consular matters. Residents of other states should contact the Consulate General closest: Houston, New York or San Francisco. (See Honorary Consulates to see which states are covered by each Consulate General) The Honorary Consul General in Minneapolis covers Minnesota.
The Embassy will be closed on the following days in 2013:
January 1, New Year’s Day
January 21, Martin Luther King Day
February 18, Presidents Day
March 29, Good Friday
May 1, May Day
May 17, Constitution Day
May 27, Memorial Day
July 4, Independence Day
September 2, Labor Day
October 14, Columbus Day
November 28, Thanksgiving
December 25, Christmas
December 26, Boxing Day
White House Tours: As of this writing (March 11, 2013), tours of the White House have been suspended for budgetary reasons. Although the White House's website may still direct foreign nationals to contact their embassies to arrange tours, at present we are not able to do so, as no tours are being offered. In the event that the White House starts offering tours again, we will post an update here.
Political Section
The Political Section handles all political matters involving the U.S. and Norwegian governments, including high-level visits, political consultations, and briefings on issues of mutual interest. The section analyzes and reports on political developments in the United States, U.S. bilateral political relations with other countries, and U.S. politics on international organizations. Among the dialogue partners are the U.S. State Department, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Defense Department. Important areas are security policy, disarmament, international developments, prevention of conflict, promotion of democracy, and human rights.
Minister Counselor for Political Affairs: Ms. Berit Enge
Defense
The Defense Counselor is responsible for reporting on defense policy issues involving the U.S. and Norway, including armaments cooperation, export control, major procurement programs, defense related research, and technology developments.
Counselor for Defense and Security Policy: Mr. Keith Eikenes
Economic Section
The Economic Section follows developments in U.S. economic policy, trade, energy, climate change, fisheries, research and development policy and promotes Norwegian interests in these areas. The section also covers issues such as environmental policy more in general, Arctic and Antarctic affairs and agricultural policy. Other important areas are U.S. policies concerning the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as U.S. bilateral trade and economic relations with other countries, particularly the EU and China. The section also coordinates activities that promote Norwegian exports to the United States (Innovation Norway, see below). Among the staff are counselors who deal with sector issues of major importance to Norway, such as oil and energy, finance, fisheries, science and research, and development (see below).
Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs: Mr. Lars Petter Henie
International Development
The United States is the world's largest donor for development aid. Development is also an important part of Norwegian foreign policy, and Norway ranks high on aid per capita (2007 aid budget is approximately USD 3.5 bn). The Embassy therefore monitors international development policy in general and U.S. foreign assistance policy in particular. The Embassy works to promote and ensure close dialog and cooperation between Norway and the various parts of the U.S. Government involved in foreign assistance such as the Department of State, USAID, Treasury, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFPAR). Special focus is given to areas of particular interest to the Norwegian Government such as aid effectiveness and harmonization, peace building, anti corruption, vaccines and immunization, HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, gender issues, environmental issues, and 'Oil for Development'. In addition, the Embassy follows Norwegian aid channelled through the Washington-based international financial institutions such as the World Bank Group and the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB).
Energy
Norway is the world`s second largest exporter of gas and a significant exporter of crude oil. The Embassy's Counselor for Energy informs U.S. energy authorities and organizations about Norway's energy policy and developments in the energy sector. The Counselor also provides information to the Norwegian authorities and the Norwegian petroleum industry on U.S. energy policies.
Counselor for Energy: Mr. Espen Myhra
Finance
The Counselor for Economic and Financial Affairs reports on macro and microeconomics, financial markets, economic policy, and economic research. The Counselor also responds to inquiries about the Norwegian economy.
Counselor for Economic and Financial Affairs: Mr. Lars Wahl.
Fisheries
The Counselor for Fisheries reports on fisheries issues in the United States and Canada, as well as working to enhance and improve the overall co-operation between Norway and the United States, as well as Canada, on the fisheries sector. The Counselor also take part in negotiations and meetings in the United Nations’ Headquarter when fisheries issues are put on the table.
Counselor for Fisheries: Mr. Richard Pedersen
Science
The Counselor for Science reports on research and research policies throughout the United States and Canada, and works to enhance cooperative research and development between Norway and North America. The Counselor also provides Americans with information about research and research policy in Norway.
Counselor for Science: Mr. Lars Espen Aukrust
Communications Department
The Communications Department promotes a wide range of Norwegian and Nordic cultural events including concerts, exhibitions, lectures, festivals, and films. The department stays in contact with Norwegian and American media, Congressional offices, and research and cultural institutions. Communications staff members provide information; assist with arranging speakers; and distribute and loan books, posters, photographs, and art for use in exhibitions. The office publishes News of Norway quarterly, covering Norwegian politics, economy, and culture, while highlighting Norwegian-American news and features. The magazine is offered free of charge to subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. It also includes calendars of Norwegian cultural events in the United States. The department is responsible for www.norway.org, the official Norwegian website for the U.S. The Communications Department works with various Norwegian-American groups on organizing cultural events and festivals throughout the year. For more information about Norwegian-American organizations in the Washington D.C. area, click here .
Counselor for Communications: Ms. Linken N. Berryman
Information and Cultural Officer: Ms. Pia Dahl
Information and Cultural Officer: Ms. Urd Milbury
News of Norway
Editor: Mr. Kenneth Krattenmaker
E-mail: editor@norway.org
Read News of Norway by clicking here
Office of the Defense Attaché
The Defense Attaché covers U.S. and Canadian defense issues of interest to Norway. The Defense Attaché also keeps the U.S. and Canadian defense authorities updated on Norwegian defense matters and policies. The office assists Norwegian military procurement agencies with materials and training procurement, amounting to approximately $2 billion annually. The Norwegian Department of Defense currently has about 250 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) projects with the U.S. Government.
Defense Attaché: Rear Admiral Trond Grytting
Fax: (202) 469-3995
E-mail: faw@mfa.no
Information for Norwegian personnel serving in the US (In Norwegian)
Administrative and Consular Services Section
The section works closely with the three Norwegian Consulates General in the United States. These consulates, each headed by a Consul General and staffed by mainly career diplomats, supervise Honorary Consuls around the country. The section also has administrative responsibilities pertaining to Embassy personnel and buildings.
Counselor: Ms. Elisabeth Wemberg
Vice Consul: Ms. Ragnhild Wikeby
Innovation Norway
Innovation Norway promotes nationwide industrial development profitable to both the business economy and Norways national economy, and helps release the potential of different districts and regions by contributing towards innovation, internationalisation and promotion. Innovation Norway also promotes tourism to Norway.
Counselor Defence Industry Co-operation: Mr. Tom Ivar Stie
Innovation Norway
Royal Norwegian Embassy
2720 34th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 333-6000
Fax: (202) 469-3990
E-mail: washington@innovationnorway.no
Web: www.innovationnorway.no/usa
The Embassy also covers the Bahamas.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, covers the countries in the Eastern part of the Caribbean. The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, covers the countries in the Western part of the Caribbean.
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington
2720 34th Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 333-6000
Fax: (202) 469-3990
E-mail: emb.washington@mfa.no
Ambassador: Wegger Chr. Strommen
High resolution photo for media use
Please credit: Royal Norwegian Embassy