Today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Ms. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladótir, delivered her first foreign policy speech to Althingi, the Parliament of Iceland. In her address, Ms. Gísladóttir discussed Iceland´s foreign policy challenges with a special focus on Iceland´s role in a globalized world.

On Friday 19 October, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mrs. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, addressed the Women's Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) in Washington D.C. At the occasion, Mrs. Gísladóttir was nominated as an honorary member of WFPG; an organization dedicated to the promotion of women as international leaders, and ensuring that women's voices are heard and women leaders are fully engaged in finding new approaches and solutions.

The Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mrs. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, has welcomed the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and its Chairman Dr R.K. Pachauri, together with former US Vice President Al Gore.

Today, the Ambassador of Iceland to India, Dr. Gunnar Pálsson, and the Secretary of the Indian Ministry for New and Renewable Energy, Mr. V. Subramanian, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Iceland and India on Renewable Energy Cooperation.

Early October in North Iceland has experienced snowfall on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The children in the towns of the North were delighted to have an opportunity to go for a ride on their sleds.  The older generations were presumably not as happy since the snow blocked roads in various places in the north and northeastern part of the country as well as the West Fjords.

Today, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Ms. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, addressed the 62nd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. In her speech, the Minister outlined Iceland´s natural inclination for peaceful dispute settlement and emphasized the importance of universal human rights, sustainable development and human security.

Today, the President of Iceland, Dr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, participated in a hearing organized by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the United States Senate. The hearing was held to discuss a Bill to Establish a National Geothermal Initiative in the United States.

The motorists faced problems in south Iceland on Saturday as that region got early snowfall an they had not prepared their vehicles for the winters with studded tires, designed to drive on slippery roads.

MTV Europe Music Awards has nominated Icelandic musician Björk for two awards at the to be held in Munich November 1, as best solo artist and as best rocker.

US Senator Barbara Boxer, head of the US Senate’s environment committee, met President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson on August 22, 2007. The meeting was held at his residence Bessastadir, near Reykjavík, to discuss climate change and energy issues.

The Indian Government has given its approval for opening an Indian mission in Iceland, along with new missions in four other countries. 

According to India's Information Minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who was quoted in the Indian media, the decision will help in order to safeguard and promote India's strategic, economic and political interests in the respective regions. 

 

Five Icelandic investment companies namely, Exista, Landsbanki Bank, Kaupthing Bank, Glitnir Bank and Straumur Investment Bank, are the fastest growing investment companies among the twenty companies of the Nordic region.

Today, Ambassador Gunnar Palsson and Ms. Charusheela Soni, Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Iceland and India on Sustainable Fisheries Development.

As per the survey conducted by the European Happy Planet Index, Iceland is the country most fit to provide its citizens with a long and happy life. At the bottom of the survey is Estonia placed at no 30, while UK has been placed at no. 21.

The Indian Minister of Finance, Mr. P. Chidambaram, visited Iceland 28 June to 1 July, at the invitation of Mr. Arni M. Mathiesen, Icelandic Minister of Finance. Mr. Chidambaram was accompanied by India's Ambassador to Iceland Mr. Mahesh Sachdev.

The Programme Director of the United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme based in Iceland, Dr. Tumi Tómasson, visited India on May 21 - 28, 2007.

On 27 April, the Ambassador formally opened an Icelandair counter at the premises of the Bird Group travel company at Connaught Place in New Delhi.

On 23 April, the Joint Study Group (JSG) of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India held its first meeting in New Delhi. Established in December 2006, the Group is mandated to report on existing trade between EFTA and India, suggest ways to encourage closer economic ties and examine the feasibility of an EFTA-India Trade and Investment Agreement.

The purpose of the Iceland – India Business Guide 2007 is to provide companies interested in doing business in Iceland or India with updated information on the two countries and their bilateral and multilateral trade relations.

The Embassy publishes an e-newsletter, starting in April 2007, with updated information on bilateral relations between Iceland and India. The one-page e-newsletter, to be issued regularly, will be distributed electronically to key contacts in India and Iceland.