Svalbard Global Seed Vault receives Princess of Asturias Award

By Erick León

Norway.— The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, Norway’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food reported on October 24.

The ceremony took place in Oviedo, Spain, with members of the Spanish royal family present. The recognition highlights seed safeguarding and cooperation to conserve crop diversity.

Minister Nils Kristen Sandtrøen thanked the organizers for the award on behalf of the Norwegian government and its partners, Crop Trust and NordGen, which operate the vault together with Norway.

The facility provides backup for agricultural collections, a relevant task given the risks threatening the preservation of varieties and food security.

Nils Kristen Sandtrøen, Norway’s Minister of Agriculture. Archive portrait: Torgeir Haugaard / Forsvaret, via the Government of Norway.

Government of Norway. Information published October 24, 2026.

Original Spanish report, published October 25, 2026.

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