Jens Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General
2014 – 2024
Jens Stoltenberg became NATO Secretary General in October 2014. As a former Prime Minister of Norway and UN Special Envoy, Mr Stoltenberg has a distinguished record of domestic and international achievements spanning security, defence, climate, energy, and economics. He is a strong supporter of greater global and transatlantic cooperation. NATO Allies extended Mr Stoltenberg’s term by unanimous consent four times, and his term ended on 1 October 2024.
Under Mr Stoltenberg’s leadership, NATO has responded to a more challenging security environment by implementing the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the Cold War – with more forces, increased defence spending, and an unprecedented four rounds of NATO enlargement, with the accession of Montenegro, North Macedonia, Finland, and Sweden. NATO has also stepped up its efforts in the fight against terrorism. Mr Stoltenberg has long advocated for increased defence spending and better burden sharing within the Alliance, and a greater focus on innovation and partnerships, including with the European Union. Mr Stoltenberg has played a critical role in rallying international support for Ukraine as it resists Russian aggression, particularly since Moscow’s full-fledged invasion in 2022.
As Prime Minister of Norway, Mr Stoltenberg transformed the Norwegian armed forces with more defence spending and new high-end capabilities. He also signed an agreement with Russia on establishing maritime borders in the Barents and Polar Sea, ending a 30-year dispute. Mr Stoltenberg was instrumental in shaping Norway's oil and gas industry, and establishing the world-leading Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Mr Stoltenberg was Prime Minister during the deadly terrorist attacks that killed 77 people in Oslo and Utøya on 22 July 2011. In an historic speech at Oslo Cathedral two days later, he urged Norwegian society to respond with "more democracy, more openness, and more humanity, but never naïvete".
Over many years, Jens Stoltenberg has been devoted to mitigating climate change. He chaired a High-Level UN commission on climate financing and served as a UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, helping to prepare the Paris Accord.
Mr Stoltenberg holds a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Oslo. After graduating in 1987, he held a research post at the National Statistical Institute of Norway, before embarking on a career in Norwegian politics.
Jens Stoltenberg was born in Oslo on 16 March 1959. He is married to Ingrid Schulerud. They have two adult children.
2014-2024: NATO Secretary General
2013-2014: UN Special Envoy on Climate Change
2005-2013: Prime Minister of Norway
2002-2014: Leader of the Norwegian Labor Party
2000-2001: Prime Minister of Norway
1996-1997: Minister of Finance
1993-1996: Minister of Industry and Energy
1991-2014: Member of Parliament
1990-1991: State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment
1985-1989: Leader of the Norwegian Labour Youth