Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Minister of International Development of Norway, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim visited Mozambique from 22 to 26 May, 2023.
The visit highlighted strong bilateral ties and historic relationships. Political dialogue was strengthened, agreements on ocean and energy management were signed, and an extraordinary package of aid for food security was announced. Mozambique remains among Norway’s main development partners.
“I am very happy to be here on my first visit to Mozambique as Norway’s Minister of International Development. I wish to thank Mozambique and the Mozambican people for the warm hospitality I have received. But it’s not my first visit! I lived here, in Maputo, for more than three years, as a young diplomat, and it is a city and a country very dear to me,” said Minister Tvinnereim in a video address.
The week-long visit gave Minister Tvinnereim an insight into the extensive cooperation between Mozambique and Norway in areas such as food security, renewable energy and ocean management. Minister Tvinnereim also had political consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, H.E. Mrs. Veronica Macamo Dlhovo. At the meeting, it was highlighted that in 1973 the Norwegian Parliament voted in favour of Norwegian support for the then liberation movement FRELIMO, thus marking in 2023 the jubilee of 50 years of Norwegian involvement in Mozambique.
Minister Tvinnereim also confirmed Norway’s interest in expanding dialogue with Mozambique beyond bilateral cooperation. Many of today’s challenges require cooperation for global solutions. Mozambique and Norway have several common interests to pursue. Tvinnereim also congratulated Mozambique on the country’s recent and successful presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
Food and nutrition security
During her stay, Ms. Tvinnereim visited several projects related to conservation agriculture supported by Norway, where she witnessed encouraging results and remaining challenges.
The Minister underlined that: “Food security is a key feature of Norwegian development policy. Our strategy, “Joining Forces Against Hunger – A Policy to Improve Food Self-Sufficiency”, focuses on small-scale, climate-resilient food production in the poorest rural areas. Africa imports $60 billion worth of food every year. We must help this continent achieve its own goal – food sovereignty.”
Solidarity package following the war in Ukraine
Due to the war in Ukraine, we have seen pressure on food production and global supply chains that have increased fertilizer and energy costs, resulting in more hunger and poverty in the global south.
The Norwegian Government has therefore allocated an additional and extraordinary aid package to countries affected by the war in Ukraine. During her visit, Tvinnereim announced that around US$10 million from this package will go to partners in Mozambique. The funds will be invested in the food security of the Mozambican people.
Ocean for development and blue economy
On Tuesday, May 22, the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries of Mozambique, Lidia Cardoso and Minister Tvinnereim signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the ‘Oceano para o Desenvolvimento’ [‘Oceans For Development’] program. The aim is to strengthen ocean management and increase the production and consumption of aquatic foods and thereby improve food security and livelihoods.
Norway is involved in sectors where we have comparative advantages. A core component is technical support and exchange between Norwegian and Mozambican public institutions.
“Mozambique and Norway are ocean nations. We have common interests and challenges. The oceans have enormous potential to enhance food security and sustainable economic development. Building a sustainable ocean economy in partner countries is therefore a central feature of Norway’s development cooperation”, stressed Minister Tvinnereim.
Cooperation in the field of energy
On Wednesday, May 23, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Carlos Zacarias, and Minister Tvinnereim signed a cooperation agreement between the Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) and the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME).
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