Norwegian Ambassador to The Philippines, Bjorn Staurset Jahnsen participated in the inauguration of the field office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Barangay Santa Maria, accompanied by Stian Arvid Hegland and Second Secretary and political advisor Nikki Al Ben Delfin from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila.
On the sideline of the inauguration, the Ambassador met with Mayor Beng Climaco of Zamboanga City who also participated in the IOM inauguration, alongside with Kristin Dadey, Chief of Mission, IOM Philippines; and Marco Chimenton, head of sub-office in South Cotabato IOM Philippines.
IOM is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants including IDPs, refugees, and migrant workers. It is a related organization of the United Nations since September 2016.
Mayor Climaco praised Norway and Jahnsen for contributing to the development of Zamboanga and she vowed to continue international collaboration and cooperation with Oslo to help spur growth and development.
“Muchisimas gracias IOM for all your help to Zamboanga City,” she said.
Norway is engaged in peace and reconciliation efforts in the Philippines for many years now and both countries have almost 100 years of maritime cooperation.
Since 2018, Norway and the Philippines have a free trade agreement and further boosting bilateral trade
