Latest news with #ÅsmundAukrust
Zawya
25-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Developments in Joint Economic Relations with Norwegian Minister of International Development and Dutch Deputy Minister of Development
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, met with H.E. Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development of the Kingdom of Norway. The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation opportunities between the two countries and discussed a number of joint issues. This meeting took place during her representation of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting and the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Development. These meetings are being held under South Africa's G20 presidency from July 20 to 25, 2025, under the theme "Solidarity, Sustainability and Equality" in South Africa. During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat lauded the Egyptian-Norwegian relations, and noted that the two countries have strengthened and deepened bilateral ties across various sectors, including renewable energy and regional stability efforts. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that the extended partnership between the governments of Egypt and Norway has been essential in boosting the economy, developing the renewable energy sector, and creating better opportunities for the Egyptian economy. H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt's commitment, with its expanding economy and attractive investment climate, to attracting new foreign partnerships and investments that can drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the most prominent areas of cooperation with the Norwegian side, which include the oil, energy, gas, maritime transport, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, in addition to fisheries and aquaculture. She noted that Egypt is keen to expand these areas of cooperation, and highlighted that the Egyptian-Norwegian partnership in promoting investments in the renewable energy sector was a central focus of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's historic visit to the Kingdom of Norway in December 2024. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat added that the shared goals and mutual respect characterizing the bilateral relations between Egypt and Norway represent a model for international cooperation that will be built upon in the coming years. She further stated that Norway's commitment to sustainability and international cooperation aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030 and green transformation goals. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries in green hydrogen and renewable energy, which includes several prominent projects. These include a green ammonia production project from green hydrogen, a green methanol production project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in addition to a number of funded projects in various fields. These contribute to creating decent job opportunities for youth in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and promoting health and combating violence against women in Egypt in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat affirmed Egypt's keenness to involve the private sector, especially in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, maritime industries, and technology. She noted that the country provides a stable investment climate, competitive incentives, and access to key regional markets, making it an ideal gateway for Norwegian and other international companies seeking to expand into the Middle East and Africa. She also referred to the cooperation between Egypt and Scatec, and mentioned that Egypt and Norway have historically strong economic ties, which have translated into tangible projects benefiting both economies. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined that the new partnerships with Scatec enhance active cooperation between the public and private sectors and development partners, aiming to promote green transformation. She noted Scatec's contribution to the implementation of the Benban Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks in the world, and the first green hydrogen plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other partners. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation in continuing to support international partnerships and mobilize local and international financing to promote green transformation in Egypt and increase the number of environmentally friendly projects. She pointed out that the cooperation portfolio with Scatec includes a number of projects under the energy sector of the "NWFE" program, including the green hydrogen project in Egypt, the green ammonia production project in Damietta, the 1 GW solar power project with battery energy storage solutions (BESS), and a 1 GW solar power plant for the aluminum complex in Naga Hammadi. Egyptian-Dutch Relations On another note, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with H.E. Ms. Pascalle Grotenhuis, Netherlands' Vice Minister for International Development, to discuss strengthening Egyptian-Dutch relations and developments in the partnership between the two countries. During the meeting, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat affirmed that Egypt and the Netherlands have deep-rooted political, cultural, and economic relations spanning several decades. These relations have witnessed significant momentum and growing cooperation at various levels in recent years. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the economic cooperation between the two countries has been an important axis in bilateral relations, with the Netherlands providing over 407 million Euros in development financing to Egypt since 1975. This assistance has contributed to supporting many vital sectors, including agriculture and irrigation, health and social affairs, transport, electricity, housing, tourism, education, and local development. She stated that the Netherlands is one of Egypt's main trading partners within the European continent, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately one billion Euros annually. Both sides aim to expand this cooperation and diversify its areas, especially given the available opportunities for economic integration between the two countries. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the "Orange Corners" program, implemented in cooperation with the Dutch side and the private sector, to support entrepreneurs in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt governorates. After the success of the first three-year phase, the program is now in a new cycle extending from 2024 to 2028, reflecting the shared interest of both countries in achieving inclusive economic growth and providing job opportunities for youth. The two sides also reviewed developments in cooperation in the fields of water and climate following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Egyptian and Dutch governments in October 2024, to enhance cooperation in coastal resource management and adaptation to climate change. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
Saba Yemen
31-05-2025
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Norway: Israel's violations in Gaza pose global threat to future
Oslo – Saba: Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, affirmed that Israel is setting a "dangerous precedent" by violating international human rights laws in the Gaza Strip, further escalating global instability. According to the British newspaper The Guardian on Saturday, Aukrust stated, "Norway was one of the few European countries to recognize the Palestinian state last year. Over the past year and a half, we have witnessed a significant decline in respect for international law in the war on Gaza, and in recent months, the situation has worsened more than ever. Therefore, it is extremely important for the Norwegian government to protest and condemn this blatant violation." He added, "Israel's actions not only exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza but also pose a global threat to the future. We are deeply concerned that food is being used as a weapon of war and that the UN and humanitarian organizations are being barred from entering conflict zones." Aukrust continued, "We are very afraid that this could become a new international standard, making the world more dangerous for all of us." He noted that Norway's Oil Fund, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, has blacklisted 11 companies supporting the Israeli entity. Aukrust expects the Norwegian parliament to reject calls next week to halt the fund's investments in companies selling products and services in the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that the fund should not invest in anything contributing to violations of international law. The Norwegian minister pointed out that his country's decision to recognize Palestine in May 2024 was "to send a message of hope," urging citizens across Europe to continue protesting and maintaining faith in political action. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
The Guardian
31-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Israel's ‘violations' in Gaza make world more dangerous, Norway warns
Israel is setting a dangerous precedent for international human rights law violations in Gaza that is making the whole world more dangerous, Norway's international development minister has warned. Norway has played a historical role in the region, including by facilitating the Oslo peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians that led to a celebrated breakthrough deal in 1993. Last year it recognised the Palestinian state, one of a minority of European countries to do so. 'For the last one and a half years we have seen very low respect for international law in the war in Gaza and in recent months it is worse than ever before,' Åsmund Aukrust said. 'So for the Norwegian government it is very important to protest against this, to condemn this very clear violation.' In addition to contributing to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, he said Israel's actions posed a global threat to other and future conflicts. 'We are very concerned that there will be a new international standard where food is used as a weapon, where the UN is denied entrance to the war and conflict zone, and other NGOs are denied entrance,' he said. 'And Israel is building up something they call Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is to militarise humanitarian aid.' GHF, the controversial Israeli and US-backed logistical group, started distributing food in Gaza this week. Amid chaotic scenes, Israeli forces said they fired 'warning shots' at a distribution centre. Gaza health officials said at least one civilian had been killed and 48 injured. A UN-backed assessment earlier this month found that the entire population of the Gaza Strip, approximately 2.1 million people, were at critical risk of famine, with half a million people categorised as in catastrophe. Aukrust said: 'We are afraid and very concerned that this might be a new standard in international law and this will make the world a lot more dangerous to all of us.' However, he said it was not up to politicians to decide whether the term genocide applied to Gaza, saying that was a decision for the international court of justice. 'Genocide is the worst crime a country can do and the worst crime that politicians can do and this should not be polarised,' he said. However, he said Oslo would be keeping an 'open line' to all parties – including Hamas – for dialogue and promised that Norway would be 'there for the long run' to rebuild Gaza. 'We have no limitation of who we are talking to. I would say the opposite. We would be happy to, and we want to, talk with those who are responsible, whether it is Israel, Hamas or others,' he said. 'Dialogue is the most important word when it comes to peacemaking and we want to have an open line with all countries, all groups that might have an influence here.' The Norwegian oil fund, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund that operates under rules set by parliament, has so far blacklisted 11 companies for assisting Israel's occupation. Next week, the Norwegian parliament is expected to reject calls to stop the fund from investing in companies that sell products and services in the occupied Palestinian territories. Aukrust said decisions about the wealth fund were made by the bank, not politicians. 'The bank decides where they want to invest. What the politicians do is to decide the rules,' he said. The rules, he added, were 'very clear' that the fund should not invest in anything that contributed to a violation of international law. Norway's decision to recognise the state of Palestine in May 2024 was 'to send out a message of hope,' said Aukrust. He urged people across Europe to 'continue to protest' and to keep their faith in politics. 'As long as the war is going on, from the Norwegian government side we will all the time look into what more can we do. What new initiative can we take. How can we send an even clearer message to those who are responsible for this.'
Saba Yemen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Norwegian Development Minister: Situation in Gaza is disappointing
Oslo - Saba: Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, stated on Friday that the situation in the Gaza Strip is "disappointing, as humanitarian aid is being used as a weapon." According to Quds Press Agency, Aukrust emphasized that "the war in Gaza must stop, and action must be taken because the number of dead and wounded is increasing every day." The Norwegian minister called for "respecting international law and allowing organizations to deliver aid to Gaza." The occupation forces renewed their aggression on the Gaza Strip at dawn on March 18, 2025, launching airstrikes across the territory, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of over 12,000 Palestinians. This escalation violated a ceasefire agreement with Palestinian resistance factions, which had lasted nearly 60 days after being mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Local Norway
17-02-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
Norway announces funding deal for humanitarian NGOs amid US freeze
The Norwegian funding will improve the NGOs' financial mid-term visibility but will not replace the US funds, having been designed to work in parallel. The Norwegian government announced it would allocate a total of 1.9 billion kroner ($171 million) per year to six NGOs for "rapid, flexible and targeted emergency aid" over the five-year period from 2025 to 2029. "The need for emergency aid has reached an unprecedented level and global funding for humanitarian efforts is more uncertain than it has been for a long time," International Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust said. The six NGOs include several which recently announced major cuts in their humanitarian efforts following President Donald Trump's decision to freeze practically all US aid spending. Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), which specialises in demining operations, said last week it would be forced to more than halve its staff and lay off 1,700 employees in 12 countries. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which received around 20 percent of its budget from the United States in 2024, also said it would have to suspend activities in nearly 20 countries at the end of February. "This agreement means a lot for NRC, as it provides much needed predictability and flexibility," Camilla Waszink, head of NRC's Partnership and Policy, told AFP in an email. "However, this is part of already budgeted Norwegian humanitarian funding and will therefore not address our many US-funded programmes now stopped due to the foreign aid freeze," she added. Norwegian People's Aid echoed that sentiment. "This agreement has been planned to work in parallel with the US funds that NPA has received up until now, and will not alleviate any of the effects the US aid freeze has on our projects," NPA spokesman Hakon Odegaard said. On his first day back in office, Trump issued an executive order freezing US foreign aid for 90 days, except funds for Israel and Egypt. He said the move was to determine if the aid was in line with his views on abortion, family planning, diversity and inclusion. A US judge last week temporarily lifted the freeze. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has a budget of $42.8 billion, representing 42 percent of humanitarian aid disbursed worldwide. According to the United Nations, 300 million people were in need of humanitarian aid in 2024, compared to 78 million in 2015.
