Jens Stoltenberg (born March 16, 1959, in Oslo, Norway) is a prominent Norwegian politician, economist, and diplomat affiliated with the Labour Party. He entered politics early through student organizations and the Labour Youth League. Stoltenberg served as Minister of Finance from 1996 to 1997 under Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland. He then became Prime Minister of Norway for two non-consecutive terms: first briefly from 2000 to 2001 following Jagland's resignation, and then from 2005 to 2013 after leading the Labour Party to victory in the 2005 election. During his second premiership, his government navigated the 2008 financial crisis and responded to the tragic 2011 Norway attacks, where he demonstrated strong leadership in national unity efforts as party leader. Following his second term as Prime Minister, Stoltenberg served as Secretary General of NATO from 2014 to 2024, guiding the alliance through significant challenges including Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, while strengthening NATO's collective defense posture and expanding partnerships. Returning to Norwegian politics, he was appointed Minister of Finance in 2025 under Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, focusing on economic policy amid global uncertainties. Throughout his career, Stoltenberg has been recognized for his pragmatic approach to social democracy, economic management, and international diplomacy. His personal life includes marriage to Ingrid Schulerud, with whom he has two sons, and his father, Thorvald Stoltenberg, was a notable diplomat and politician who influenced his path into public service. He has faced criticism for economic policies during his premierships, including handling of oil revenues and welfare reforms, but remains a respected figure in Norwegian and global politics.