– We are making this change because there are certain policy areas to which we need to pay even more attention in the future. The increasing use of technology and digitalization affect the everyday life of each of us, but also the entire society. It offers enormous opportunities, but also requires knowledge, management and regulation. Now we will have our own minister who will work closely with many other members of the government in this key area, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Close to users

The Minister of Digitization and Public Administration must be the driving force in creating new technological solutions that will be developed close to users.

– It is absolutely crucial that we are able to use technology well, including: to carry out the green transformation we are in and to meet the challenges that arise as we age. We need to create a society where technology serves people, says Støre.

The Minister of Digitization and Public Administration will also be responsible, among others, for: for the state's personnel and employer policy, the functioning and development of state administration and the construction of a new government headquarters.

The new ministry will be established only at the turn of the year

– We need a more efficient state. The minister must contribute to good political management of community resources and institutions and to a better public sector, says Støre.

For practical reasons, the new ministry will be established only from the turn of the year, and by that time there will be two ministers in the Ministry of Local Government and Districts: Erling Sande, the Ministry of Local Government and Districts, and Karianne O. Tung, the Minister of Digitization and Administration.

Ministry of Energy

The government will also change the name of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to the Ministry of Energy. The name change will take place from January 1, 2024.

– An increasing share of our energy comes from new energy sources such as wind, sun, water and other forms of energy. We are in the middle of a green transition and development based on more renewable energy will continue in the future. This means that the name of the ministry responsible for energy policy should not emphasize any specific energy source. However, the Ministry of Energy will have exactly the same responsibilities as the Ministry of Oil and Energy currently has, says Støre.

With the change of the name of the ministry, the position of the minister in charge of the Ministry of Energy will change from the Minister of Oil and Energy to the Minister of Energy.

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Source: regjeringen

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