
NATO leaders have extended Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s mandate for an additional year in order to assist guide the 30-nation military alliance through the security crisis caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Stoltenberg said in a tweet Thursday that he is “honoured” by NATO leaders’ decision to extend his tenure as Secretary-General until September 30, 2023. As we confront the most serious security crisis in a generation, we must work together to maintain our alliance strong and our people secure, he stated.
In October 2014, the former Norwegian Prime Minister was appointed to NATO’s highest civilian post. His tenure has now been extended for the second time. His term was set to end in September of this year.
Norway’s government-appointed Stoltenberg as head of the Scandinavian country’s central bank in February, saying he anticipated to begin in his new job around December 1. It was eventually announced that deputy governor Ida Wolden Bache would take over until Stoltenberg could take over.
Stoltenberg, 63, has branded Russia’s attack on Ukraine as the worst security crisis in decades. Stoltenberg has been lauded for leading NATO through a tough and controversial era under the Trump administration when the US threatened not to come to the assistance of member countries who did not spend enough on defence.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on an Air Force One flight to Brussels on Wednesday that President Joe Biden holds Secretary-General Stoltenberg in high regard.
According to Sullivan, they’ve formed a trusting friendship. Secretary-General Stoltenberg has been critical in maintaining NATO’s strong unity during this crisis. Stoltenberg served as Prime Minister of Norway twice, from 2005 to 2013 and 2002 to 2014, and he was also Finance Minister, Industry Minister, and Energy Minister.