Norway
Your Worship, Mayor Berland,
Colleagues and Friends,
It is a great pleasure to be with you in beautiful Lillestr?m.
I am delighted to join you witnessing this symbolic moment.
On behalf of the United Nations, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Norway, and to the people of Lillestr?m, for your warm hospitality.
Norway¡¯s longstanding commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation makes it the ideal host for IGF 2025.
Today¡¯s flag-raising is more than a tradition.
It marks the beginning of a truly global, multistakeholder dialogue¡ª one that will shape our shared digital future.
As we raise the flags of Norway and the United Nations, we are reminded of a profound message:
That in today¡¯s world, no single actor can navigate the digital age alone.
We must stand together.
From this moment, this venue becomes a UN Blue Zone -- a neutral, inclusive space grounded in the values of human rights, openness, and collaboration.
Here, voices from every region, every background, and every sector will convene on equal footing¡ª to exchange ideas, debate policies, and forge solutions.
Over the next five days, we will tackle digital challenges that transcend borders.
These global questions demand global answers, reflecting the core principles at the heart of the Internet Governance Forum.
Our mission is to build a digital future that is safe, inclusive, and empowering for all.
Let this ceremony symbolize our renewed commitment to an Internet that serves the public good.
Let us get to work¡ªtogether.
Thank you.