Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran is Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway. He was the deputy leader of Arbeiderpartiet between 2019 and 2023, and the leader of Nordland Arbeiderparti between 2011 and 2019. Skjæran was a member of the Lurøy municipal council from 1987 to 2015 and mayor from 2011 to 2015, and was elected first representative for Nordland Arbeiderparti for the Norwegian parliament period 2021–2025. Skjæran is a farmer by profession an runs a transportation company.

Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran contributes to the opening conference 17 September.