The origin of the Norwegian National Gift to Icelanders is rooted in the post-World War II era, specifically reflecting the Norwegian ambassador's desire to express gratitude for Iceland's wartime support and assistance. The recent transition of chairmanship occurred at the Land and Forest Iceland facility in Mógilsá, coinciding with the visit of the Norwegian ambassador to Iceland, Cecilie Willoch, on Wednesday, September 3rd.

The initial contribution amounted to one million Norwegian Kroner. The majority of these funds, representing four-fifths of the total, were designated for housing construction at Mógilsá, thereby supporting the establishment of structured forestry research in Iceland. The remaining one-fifth was allocated to exchange programs, facilitating visits between Icelandic and Norwegian forestry professionals. These annual exchange initiatives, commencing in the 1960s, have cultivated robust collaborative partnerships between Iceland and Norway within the forestry domain.

The attached photographs document the ambassador's presentation of a commemorative token to Mr. Arnór, recognising his nineteen years of service on the committee. The subsequent excursion through the Mógilsá forest, attended by Chargé d'affaires Marianne Kvan and consultant Silje Beike Løken, is also depicted. Forest geneticist Aðalsteinn Sigurgeirsson provided a guided tour, including a discussion of the Norwegian tree species cultivated at Mógilsá, a tangible result of the collaborative forestry efforts between the two nations. Furthermore, the Norwegian ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Ágúst Sigurðsson, Director of Land and Forest Iceland, and Hrefna Jóhannesdóttir, the newly appointed chair of the Norwegian National Gift to Icelanders, who together constitute the current board of the National Gift.