NATO has agreed to extend Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's term by one year to oversee the security alliance's response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
"Allies thanked the secretary-general for his leadership and dedication, particularly at this critical moment for international security," NATO said in announcing the extension on March 24.
Stoltenberg, a trained economist who was also once Norway's prime minister, was chosen to head the Norwegian central bank in February. He had agreed to serve out his term in Brussels, which ends on September 30, before taking up his new post around December 1.
NATO said Stoltenberg's term will now end on September 30, 2023.
"As we face the biggest security crisis in a generation, we stand united to keep our alliance strong and our people safe," Stoltenberg said at an extraordinary meeting of the security alliance over Russia's war against Ukraine.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine one month ago has triggered Europe's largest military conflict since World War II, leading the alliance to to fundamentally rethink its defense policies.