Storting president makes remarkable visit to Norway Block

Masud Gharahkhani promotes transatlantic cooperation

Photo: Leslee Lane Hoyum
The roundtable consisted of from left to right: former ambassador to Norway Ben Whitney, who served as moderator, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Cargill Chief Technology and Officer, Cargill Vice President of Research and Development Florian Schattenmann, and President Masud Gharahkhani.

Leslee Lane Hoyum
Rockford, Minn.

Photo: Leslee Lane Hoyum
“When people look at me, the first thing they say is, this guy doesn’t look like a Viking,” said Norwegian Storting President Masud Gharahkhani.

“When people look at me, the first thing they say is, this guy doesn’t look like a Viking,” said Norwegian Storting (Parliament) President Masud Gharahkhani on a recent visit to Minnesota. “I was born in Tehran, Iran.

“My family decided to flee [Iran] in 1987 after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the war between Iran and Iraq,” continued Gharahkhani. “Our dream was to reach Los Angeles, Calif., where my uncle lived, but sometimes destiny changes your life, and instead of Los Angeles we ended up in the small village of Skotselv in Buskerud. Ironically, I was born into a country with a monarchy that was rich in oil and gas resources, then we settled in a country that was a monarchy rich in oil and gas resources. But it was a different world. It was about values, politics and community.”

President of the Storting since 2021 and a member of the Labor Party, Gharahkhani and his entourage were on their way to the 2024 NATO Summit, which was held in Washington, D.C. the week of July 9. The 32-member NATO alliance discussed collective defense strategies, crisis management, partnerships and innovation. But first, President Gharahkhani chose to visit the heart of Norwegian America and meet people outside Washington, D.C., which included Mindekirken and Norway House in Minneapolis.

After touring Mindekirken and attending its church service, President Gharahkhani and the congregation headed to Norway House for coffee and lunch before a fireside chat focused on creating an environment for successful transatlantic business, featuring a keynote address by Gharahkhani and a panel of international business experts.

Photo: Sigbjørn Kiserud, communications adviser, Stortinget
Pastor Gunnar Kristiansen (left) gave Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (center), his entourage, and Honorary Consul Eivind Heiberg (right) a tour of Mindekirken, the historical Norwegian Memorial Lutheran  Church in Minneapolis, located on Norway Block with Norway House.

Gharahkhani led the fireside chat by emphasizing the need to increase and protect international trade among NATO members, countries that represent democracy. He further highlighted the need to foster respect among nations, promote education at home and abroad and create cooperation among the governments who are NATO members and within members’ government units. “Together they reinforce policies, strategies and cultural understanding that support robust transatlantic economic partnerships and government investments,” he asserted. What better place to start than in Minnesota?

According to Gharahkhani, Norway House is a perfect example of bringing together Norwegian companies through its BARN (Business Accelerator Research Network) program. It brings Norwegian companies to the United States and introduces them to other Norwegian companies

unknown to them. BARN, in partnership with NorCham (formerly Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce), enhances Norwegian companies’ potential to succeed in the American market.

The roundtable portion consisted of Former Ambassador to Norway Ben Whitney, who served as moderator, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Cargill Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President of Research and Development Florian Schattenmann and Gharahkhani.

Photo: Leslee Lane Hoyum
“We who represent democracy need to stand together in business, as well as in our morals and beliefs in human rights,” said Gharahkhani.

Topics ranged from energy to healthcare, to minerals to immigration to the war in Ukraine to artificial intelligence and beyond.

According to Simon, trade with Norway is important in many ways. One of the obvious reasons is the strong cultural connection of Minnesota to Norway, which also can be said of other European ethnic groups in Minnesota, as well. However, Norway is the 48th largest trading partner with Minnesota and is growing quickly. Annual bilateral trade is just short of $80 million. So, as one can see, Minnesota’s relationship to Norway is not just cultural, but economic.

Schattenmann pointed out that the United States can learn much from Norway regarding circular economy (CE), which is essential in today’s world. A CE model involves resource, production and consumption factors, including sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. The concept aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and waste and pollution, which all begin with the initial design. Norway is a design expert.

Innovation Norway was, of course, an important addition to the roundtable conversation. With offices throughout the world, including in the states of California, Texas, New York and the District of Columbia, Innovation Norway is the Norwegian government’s most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry at home and abroad. By combining local industry knowledge and international networks with the business ideas of entrepreneurs, the organization helps jump start new businesses.

“I think a partnership with Innovation Norway would work well for Norway House,” said Gharahkhani. “When I meet with Gov. Walz tomorrow, I will also present our Nordic model and discuss its global impact. It is a good tool to use to push harder on our mutual business interests.”

In closing, Gharahkhani reiterated his strong belief in NATO’s trade philosophy: “We who represent democracy need to stand together in business, as well as in our morals and beliefs in human rights. Furthermore, I am proud of this community — a piece of Norwegian culture in America.”

For more information about Mindekirken, visit mindekirken.org; for Norway House and BARN, go to norwayhouse.org.

This article originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of  The Norwegian American.