Overview
Grete Faremo is a distinguished Norwegian politician, lawyer, and business leader with a career spanning national governance and international diplomacy. She is widely recognized for her extensive service in the Norwegian Government, where she held several high-level ministerial portfolios across multiple administrations. Her political tenure includes serving as Minister of Justice during two separate periods, from 1992 to 1996 and again from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, she served as Minister of Petroleum and Energy in 1996, Minister of International Development from 1990 to 1992, and Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2011. These roles reflect a diverse range of responsibilities, covering legal reform, energy policy, foreign aid, and national security.
United Nations Leadership
Beyond her domestic political achievements, Faremo played a significant role in the United Nations system. From August 2014 to May 2022, she served as the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). In this capacity, she oversaw the operational arm of the UN, managing large-scale projects in infrastructure, procurement, and project management across various global regions. Her leadership at UNOPS highlighted her ability to bridge political strategy with practical implementation on an international scale.
Professional Background
Before and alongside her political career, Faremo established herself as a lawyer and business leader. Her professional background in law provided a foundation for her work in justice and policy-making, while her experience in the business sector contributed to her effectiveness in managing complex organizations like UNOPS. Faremo’s career trajectory demonstrates a consistent engagement with both public service and organizational leadership, making her a notable figure in Norwegian and international affairs. Her contributions span decades, reflecting a sustained commitment to public administration, energy policy, and global development initiatives.
Political Career and Ministerial Roles
Grete Faremo served in multiple high-level cabinet positions within the Norwegian Government, spanning the portfolios of Justice, Petroleum and Energy, International Development, and Defence. Her political career reflects a broad engagement with both domestic legal frameworks and international relations, culminating in her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) from August 2014 to May 2022.
Ministerial Timeline
| Years | Ministerial Portfolio |
|---|---|
| 1990–1992 | Minister of International Development |
| 1992–1996 | Minister of Justice |
| 1996 | Minister of Petroleum and Energy |
| 2009–2011 | Minister of Defence |
| 2011–2013 | Minister of Justice |
Faremo first entered the cabinet as Minister of International Development, serving from 1990 to 1992. This role involved overseeing Norway’s foreign aid and development cooperation strategies, laying the groundwork for her later international engagements. She subsequently transitioned to the Ministry of Justice, holding the position from 1992 to 1996. During this tenure, she managed key legal reforms and judicial appointments, establishing herself as a prominent figure in Norwegian domestic policy.
In 1996, Faremo briefly served as Minister of Petroleum and Energy, a critical portfolio given Norway’s status as a major oil and gas producer. Her time in this role was marked by the need to balance economic extraction with emerging environmental considerations, although specific policy details from this short tenure are less documented than her judicial work. She later returned to the Ministry of Justice for a second term from 2011 to 2013, addressing contemporary legal challenges and maintaining continuity in judicial administration.
Between her two terms as Justice Minister, Faremo served as Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2011. This period involved managing Norway’s military commitments, including contributions to NATO operations and domestic defense modernization. Her leadership in the defense sector highlighted her ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and coordinate with international allies.
A notable event during her political career was the Berge Furre affair, which occurred during her first term as Minister of Justice. The affair involved allegations of political influence and procedural irregularities concerning the appointment of Berge Furre as a Supreme Court justice. This incident sparked significant public and parliamentary debate regarding transparency and meritocracy in judicial appointments. Faremo’s handling of the crisis tested her political resilience and contributed to broader discussions on the intersection of politics and the judiciary in Norway.
Following her cabinet service, Faremo moved to the United Nations, where she led UNOPS from 2014 to 2022. In this role, she oversaw project implementation across various global sectors, leveraging her extensive experience in government and international development. Her career demonstrates a consistent focus on legal integrity, energy policy, and international cooperation, marking her as a significant figure in both Norwegian politics and global administrative leadership.
Tenure at UNOPS and Controversies
During her tenure, she oversaw significant operational reforms aimed at enhancing the agency’s efficiency and strategic focus on sustainable development goals. Her leadership period, however, was marked by several high-profile controversies that drew scrutiny from the UN General Assembly and member states.
David Kendrick Dismissal
A major point of contention arose in 2017 regarding the dismissal of David Kendrick, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Director. The UN General Assembly criticized UNOPS for its handling of Kendrick’s termination, citing concerns over due process and the transparency of the decision-making procedure. Critics argued that the dismissal was abrupt and lacked sufficient justification, leading to questions about internal governance and staff rights within the agency under Faremo’s leadership. This incident highlighted tensions between management decisions and the expectations of UN member states regarding administrative fairness.
S3i Management Review
Another significant controversy involved the management of S3i, a subsidiary of UNOPS established to manage the agency’s real estate portfolio. In 2018, the UN Board of Auditors and the Committee of Whole raised concerns about the financial performance and governance of S3i. Critics pointed to issues such as high management fees, complex corporate structures, and the allocation of resources, suggesting that the subsidiary was not always operating in the best financial interest of UNOPS. Faremo defended the structure, arguing that S3i provided necessary flexibility and expertise in real estate management, but the debate underscored broader questions about the commercialization of UN operations and the need for greater accountability in subsidiary entities.