FAO and Norway: 50 Years of Partnership for Sustainable Oceans

Over 11 days, FAO’s Liaison Office in Geneva, together with its Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and partner missions, hosted the “Bridging Science and Sustainability” exhibition at the World Trade Organization Atrium. The event marked 50 years of the EAF-Nansen Programme and FAO’s 80th anniversary, bringing together diplomats, UN partners, students, and ocean advocates to highlight FAO’s leading role in advancing sustainable fisheries through science-based policy and international collaboration. The Programme, established through a longstanding partnership between FAO and the Government of Norway, has become a global model for international cooperation in ocean research and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

The exhibition featured immersive virtual tours of the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen research vessel, photo galleries tracing decades of marine missions, and multimedia displays showcasing the Programme’s evolution. Through these experiences, FAO emphasized its impact in strengthening national capacities, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and promoting ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management. The event also reflected FAO’s broader commitment to sustainable ocean governance and global food security through long-standing partnerships.