Press release from the World Heritage Council
New leader and deputy leader of the World Heritage Council for the West Norwegian fjord landscape
" The World Heritage Council's main task is to contribute to a development in the area that is in line with the intention for world heritage. The council shall promote and ensure cooperation and coordination between the regional world heritage foundations as well as contribute to the necessary exchange of information between local, regional and national actors in the two the sub-area.
The council aims to be an important arena for discussion, advice and clarification in matters that may have an effect on the follow-up of the world heritage status awarded to the Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord areas jointly."
The mayor of Aurland municipality, Kjell Bøe Bjørgum, was at a constitutional council meeting on 27 February this year elected as the new leader of the World Heritage Council for the West Norwegian Fjord Landscape for the period 2024 – 2025. The mayor of Stranda municipality, Einar Arve Nordang, was elected as deputy leader at the same time. The general secretariat follows the leader and is added to the foundation during the same period. Nærøyfjorden World Heritage Park.
Head of the World Heritage Council: Kjell Bøe Bjørgum
Mayor of Aurland municipality
Contact info: 481 93 628. Email: kjell.boe.bjorgum@aurland.kommune.no
Comment from Kjell B. Bjørgum:
"The World Heritage Council must take care of the unique qualities of the world heritage on behalf of generations. I am confident that together we will manage in a good way. We must also ensure that world heritage retains local support. Through active housing and an active business life, I can achieve this. World heritage must be experienced despite everything! Being elected leader of the World Heritage Council is both an honor and a great responsibility, I am looking forward to starting the collaboration with the many talented parties in this work."
Deputy owner: Einar Arve Nordang
Mayor Stranda municipality
Contact info: 464 11 001. Email: einar.arve.nordang@stranda.kommune.no
Comment from Einar Arve Nordang:
"Being from a world heritage municipality is great. The fact that I am lucky enough to be appointed deputy head of the World Heritage Council is a great responsibility. We shall, through the work we have been appointed to, ensure that we manage the world heritage for the present and the future. We don't own the area around us, we have it on loan for future generations is something I like to say. We must ensure that our villages can live off and with the world heritage. I look forward to the work that lies ahead of us in the World Heritage Council, and thank you for the trust that has been shown in us."
Contact information World Heritage Secretariat:
Secretariat of the World Heritage Council for the Western Norwegian Fjord Landscape/ Secretariat of the Nærøyfjord area:
Erling Oppheim. Tel: 95 17 25 95.
Email: erling@naroyfjorden.no
Postal address: Nærøyfjorden World Heritage Park, Helabrotet 2A, 5745 Aurland
Secretariat Geirangerfjord area:
Katrin Blomvik Bakken. Phone: 70 26 38 10 / 95 42 73 90
Email: katrin@verdsarvfjord.no
Mailing address:
Stiftinga Geirangerfjorden Verdsarv, 6216 Geiranger.
Website West Norwegian fjord landscape: