Latest news with #InternationalDevelopment
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
OPEC Fund provides $212mln loan to Oman for Khasab-Daba-Lima Road project
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) has signed a $212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road) in the Musandam Governorate. The agreement constitutes the second tranche of a total approved loan of $392 million for the project. In October 2024, the Fund had signed a $180 million loan agreement as first tranche in support of the project. The Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project comprises a two-lane single carriageway asphalt road, spanning approximately 70 km, between the cities of Khasab, Daba, and Lima, facilitating better access to markets and ensuring safer transport of goods and people. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Qatar Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Al Khulaifi meets officials on the sidelines of Oslo Forum for Peace
OSLO: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has held separate meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway HE Espen Barth Eide; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic HE Asaad Al Shibani; Minister of International Development of the Kingdom of Norway HE Asmund Aukrust; State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Andreas Kravik; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye HE Burhanettin Duran; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Dr Majid Takht-Ravanchi, and Commissioner for Human Rights in the Ukrainian Parliament Dmytro Lubinets. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the annual Oslo Forum for Peace held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. During the meetings, the parties reviewed bilateral cooperation and ways to support and enhance it, in addition to discussing a number of regional and international issues.
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Norway's Minister of International Development meets Union Minister Jitendra Singh, expresses solidarity with India over Pahalgam attack
Monaco [Monaco], June 8 (ANI): Ahead of the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) side event, Norway's Minister of International Development, Asmund Grover Aukrust, met Union Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh in Monaco and expressed solidarity with India over the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The two leaders exchanged notes on deepening India-Norway cooperation in Marine Planning, Arctic research and a resilient Blue Economy. Asmund Grover Aukrust said they eagerly looked forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway. The Norwegian side has clearly expressed support for India in the wake of recent developments. The Norway Minister conveyed that there is a strong public sentiment in Norway in favour of India, with many citizens expressing a desire to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit their country. In a press release, Ministry of Earth Sciences stated, 'In a significant diplomatic engagement ahead of the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) side event, Norway Minister of International Development, Asmund Grover Aukrust, called on India's Minister for Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh and conveyed his country's solidarity with India, in the light of the deplorable happenings in Jammu & Kashmir in recent weeks. Dr Jitendra Singh acknowledged Norway's support, in response to which Aukrust said that they eagerly looked forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway.' 'From the Norwegian side, there has been a clear expression of support for India in the wake of recent developments. The Norway Minister conveyed that there is a strong public sentiment in Norway in favour of India, with many citizens expressing a desire to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit their country,' it added. This gesture was seen as a mark of solidarity and growing mutual respect between India and Norway. Dr Jitendra Singh acknowledged this goodwill and thanked the Norwegian leadership and people for their continued support for India's cause on the global stage. In a post on X, Jitendra Singh stated, 'A very fruitful 'bilateral' with Norway Minister of International Development, Mr Asmund Grover Aukrust, aboard the historic vessel 'Statsraad Lehmkuhl' at #Monaco. Exchanged notes on deepening India-Norway cooperation in Marine Planning, Arctic research and a resilient #BlueEconomy.' In another post on X, Jitendra Singh wrote, 'Ahead of the 'Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Meet, #Norway Minister of International Development, Mr Asmund Grover Aukrust conveyed his country's solidarity with India, in the light of the deplorable happenings in #JammuAndKashmir in recent weeks. The Norway Minister conveyed that there is a strong public sentiment in Norway in favour of India, with many citizens expressing a desire to see Prime Minister @narendramodi visit their country.' Upon his arrival at Quai Port Hercule in Monaco, Dr Jitendra Singh was warmly received by Director Trond Gabrielsen and Senior Adviser Eivind S Homme from the Ocean Section of Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As Dr Jitendra Singh boarded the historic research vessel 'Statsraad Lehmkuhl', he was welcomed by Asmund Grover Aukrust, along with the ship's captain, marking a cordial start to the bilateral engagement. In a press release, the Ministry of Earth Sciences stated, 'The bilateral engagement builds on the collaborative agreement on ocean management announced by the Prime Ministers of India and Norway in 2019. Since then, both nations have been actively working together on marine spatial planning as a key pillar of the Blue Economy. In the current meeting, the Ministers discussed avenues to further deepen this cooperation, including efforts to share their collective experience and expertise in ocean management with other countries, particularly island nations that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate patterns.' During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in ocean governance and marine spatial planning, a crucial component of the global strategy for sustainable use of ocean resources. The discussion also touched upon enhancing collaboration in Arctic research, polar science missions, and the exchange of best practices on coastal resilience and maritime data sharing, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' press release. In a press release, Ministry of Earth Sciences stated, 'Speaking onboard the century-old sailing ship, which has become a symbol of ocean education and sustainability under the 'One Ocean Expedition,' Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized India's resolve to leverage science and technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to life below water. He also reiterated India's willingness to work closely with Norway and other like-minded countries in building climate-resilient blue economies.' Asmund Aukrust expressed appreciation for India's proactive role in regional and global marine conservation efforts and welcomed deeper collaboration in research and innovation, including the use of digital tools for marine planning and monitoring. The bilateral meeting served as a prelude to the larger MSP side event, where both leaders are expected to join other global stakeholders in sharing their national experiences and commitments to marine spatial planning, according to the press release. The press release stated, 'As nations increasingly turn to ocean-based solutions for sustainable growth, the India-Norway engagement signals a mutual recognition of science diplomacy as a vital bridge between environmental stewardship and development imperatives. With the ocean high on the global agenda, especially as the world looks ahead to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference, the dialogue between Dr. Jitendra Singh and Aukrust marks a step forward in harnessing shared knowledge, resources, and political will to protect and sustainably manage the marine commons.' He arrived at Monaco on Sunday for a series of meetings on board the vessel ship. In a post on X, Singh stated, 'Arrived at #Monaco for a series of meetings lined up onboard the vessel ship. Hallmark of the presence of Crown Prince of Norway, H.E. Haakon.' He also addressed the Monaco Marine Conference on Sunday and reiterated India's commitment to a resilient Blue Economy and pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about it twice in his two consecutive Independence Day addresses. In a post on X, Jitendra Singh stated, 'Addressed the #Monaco Marine Conference. Reiterated India's commitment to a resilient #BlueEconomy and pointed out that Prime Minister @narendramodi had referred to it twice in his two consecutive Independence Day addresses.' 'The India-Norway MSP collaboration, under the Indo-Norwegian Integrated Ocean and Research Initiative, has already yielded visible outcomes, notably the pilot projects in Puducherry and Lakshadweep addressing diverse issues like coastal erosion, biodiversity, fisheries, tourism and conservation. One of India's most notable achievements is the launch of the SAHAV portal - a GIS-based decision support system now recognised as a Digital Public Good, to mark the International Ocean Day today,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jitendra Singh reiterates India's commitment to a resilient blue economy
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh, addressing the Monaco Marine Conference on Sunday, reiterated India's commitment to a resilient Blue Economy and pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about it twice in his two consecutive Independence Day addresses. In a symbolic show of global cooperation for ocean sustainability commemorating the 'World Ocean Day' today, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Norway's Minister of International Development, Asmund Grover Aukrust, jointly hosted a high-level event on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) aboard the historic Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl at the Port of Hercule in Monaco, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, making it a significant diplomatic engagement spotlighting blue economy collaboration. Speaking at the inaugural session, Jitendra Singh highlighted India's strides in adopting Marine Spatial Planning as a key tool for sustainable ocean governance. 'We believe MSP offers a science-based framework for optimising ocean resources, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring coastal livelihoods,' he said, reiterating India's commitment to a resilient blue economy backed by technology and inclusive decision-making. The India-Norway MSP collaboration, under the Indo-Norwegian Integrated Ocean and Research Initiative, has already yielded visible outcomes. Notably, pilot projects in Puducherry and Lakshadweep have demonstrated the potential of MSP to tackle coastal erosion, manage biodiversity, and engage multiple stakeholders across sectors like fisheries, tourism, and conservation. One of India's most notable achievements, Dr Jitendra Singh said, is the launch of the SAHAV portal - a GIS-based decision support system now recognised as a Digital Public Good, to mark the international ocean day. 'This tool empowers policymakers, researchers, and communities with real-time spatial data, enabling smarter planning and stronger marine resilience,' he noted. The Minister Jitendra Singh added that India aims to scale Marine Spatial Planning across its coastline, reinforcing the nation's global leadership in sustainable ocean management. 'Our science-driven, data-informed approach underscores India's vision for ocean governance that benefits both people and the planet,' he said. The presence of top-level Norwegian leadership underscored the importance both nations place on sustainable maritime cooperation. Bilateral meetings and joint initiatives like this are expected to pave the way for greater global coordination on marine issues, especially as climate change and economic pressures intensify the need for balanced ocean use. 'As India and Norway continue to chart a shared course toward a sustainable maritime future, today's event aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl served as a fitting reminder: the health of our oceans depends not just on innovation, but on international collaboration' concluded Dr Jitendra Singh. (ANI)
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
