Exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Nansen Programme and FAO’s 80th anniversary
Angela Ellard, Deputy Director-General of WTO, H.E. Ambassador Tormod C. Endresen of Norway, H.E. Ambassador Muhammadou M.O. Kah of the Gambia, H.E. Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus of Cabo Verde, and Dominique Burgeon, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, at the opening ceremony.
©FAO
2-13 June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland - The FAO Liaison Office in Geneva (LOG), in collaboration with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) and the Permanent Missions of Norway, Cabo Verde, and the Gambia in Geneva, has launched a special exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Nansen Programme – the longest-running fisheries development initiative of FAO and Norway.
The exhibition, titled “Bridging Science and Sustainability,” opened on 2 June at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. The opening event brought together Geneva-based missions and organizations to mark this important milestone and spotlight the vital role that data, science, and partnerships play in sustainable fisheries management.
While marking the Programme’s 50-year anniversary, the exhibition also contributes to FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the Organization’s long-standing partnerships and commitment to fisheries research and management in ensuring the sustainability of aquatic resources.
Since its inception in 1975, the Nansen Programme has operated in over 60 countries in Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, supporting capacity development, generating scientific knowledge, and informing policies for the sustainable use of marine resources. A powerful example of how long-term partnerships can drive change that is both practical and transformational.
Visitors to the exhibition can immerse themselves in a virtual reality tour of the state-of-the-art research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen that operates under the Programme, explore a compelling photo gallery that chronicles five decades of scientific missions and community engagement, and engage with multimedia displays that bring to life stories from the sea, showcase technological innovations, and highlight the Programme’s impact on fisheries policy and ocean sustainability.
“We carefully curated this exhibition to illustrate how FAO’s data and scientific outputs from the Nansen Programme can support informed decision-making for the fisheries sector, including the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies once it enters into force” said Dominique Burgeon, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva.
“The photo exhibition begins by highlighting the importance of sustainable marine ecosystems for food and nutrition security, traces the Nansen Programme’s contributions over the past five decades, and concludes with FAO tools available to support effective fisheries management,” he added.
Timed just ahead of World Oceans Day (8 June), the exhibition offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the importance of healthy oceans, sound science, and global collaboration in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“As we celebrate 50 years of achievements, we are also looking to the future. The challenges facing our oceans are growing more complex, but so too are the opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The Nansen Programme will continue to evolve, supporting countries with the science, tools, and partnerships they need to manage their marine resources sustainably and equitably,” said Merete Tandstad, Coordinator of the EAF-Nansen Programme.
About the Programme
The Nansen Programme is a dedicated partnership between FAO, Norway, executed in close collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR), coastal countries and regional organizations, to promote sustainable fisheries management to achieve food and nutrition security.
It is also one of the endorsed 'Decade Actions' under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and aligned with FAO's vision for the Blue Transformation of aquatic food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
The three research vessels, all named Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, that have served the Programme over the years have been unique, state-of-the-art platforms, for conducting surveys and gathering critical data to support partner countries in developing sustainable fisheries policies.
More on the topic
- Bridging Science and Sustainability - The Exhibition of the Nansen Programme at the WTO Atrium (event page)