Norway: A consistent partner to Sri Lanka
Today, May 17 is Norway’s National Day. It marks the signing of the Norwegian Constitution back in 1814. Normally in Norway, we celebrate this day with children’s parades, marching bands, speeches, ceremonies, concerts, picnics, family reunions and an abundance of flags all over the country.
However, this year, we mark our National Day amidst a global pandemic, which has not spared Norway or Sri Lanka. Therefore, the celebration this year will be significantly different from previous years. There will be no children’s parade, and social gatherings will be limited. Concerts, speeches and other ceremonies will be held online instead.
A time to reflect
Today’s situation provides an opportunity to reflect on our values and what is important for us; in our personal life, in our societies, and the world we live in. Both in Norway and Sri Lanka, people have gone through a challenging period with closure of schools, public places, restaurants and offices. Many people have been isolated for weeks. Some have been very lonely, while some are living under challenging situations. Therefore, it is a time to be compassionate and help each other, not just individually but also as a global community.
In Norway, social distancing measures have been the key to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus, and we are finally seeing the results. The effective reproduction number ( R- number) has drastically gone down, which indicates that the infection is spreading slowly, thus the society is gradually re-opening. If everything continues to go well, we hope that the Norwegian society will be more or less back to normal by 15 June.
In this challenging time when our entire global community is affected by the pandemic, all of us must take both collective and coordinated global action to combat COVID- 19. No country can solve this crisis on its own.
Norway supports a global response
Norway is at the forefront of efforts to promote international cooperation in response to the pandemic. Most of our COVID-19 support goes through multilateral organisations, which will benefit many countries across the world, including Sri Lanka. We actively support the UN, which with its global mandate and presence is leading the international crisis response. The Norwegian government has taken the lead to establish the UN global Fund to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway has provided a first contribution of US$ 15 million to the fund. Sri Lanka is among the countries that have been selected to receive funding in the first round.
Norway is actively supporting the World Health Organisation’s leadership to ensure global preparedness and management of the COVID-19 pandemic, politically and financially. In addition to an initial contribution of US$ 1 million to WHO, Norway has pledged US$ 9 million in support of the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP).
In order to develop vaccines against the virus that has caused the current COVID19 pandemic and future epidemics, Norway has increased its support to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) by US$ 220 million.
Two weeks ago, the Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg co- chaired a Coronavirus Global Response pledging conference hosted by the European Commission. At the summit, Norway announced a new contribution of US$ 1 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The commitment to leave no one behind in the global response is at the heart of Norway’s efforts to develop a system for equitable access to vaccines, treatments and effective diagnostics. As long as the virus exists anywhere in the world, we are all vulnerable.
Norway has for decades invested in common, global, digital solutions. Norwegian researchers developed the software platform DHIS2 (District Health Information System), which is now standard for health information in many developing countries. The platform monitors malaria, vaccination programmes, tuberculosis, HIV and child mortality. It functions as a national health system for 68 countries and covers a population of 2.4 billion. Soon after the COVID-19 outbreak, the partners in this global knowledge community developed a registration and monitoring solution based on WHO standards. Several countries, including Sri Lanka are now using this open license solution.
In addition to the global support to COVID-19, the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo supports a number of local organisations to address the effects of this crisis in Sri Lanka. Our local partner organisations are continuing commendable work ranging from providing emergency assistance to vulnerable women across a number of districts to supporting Sri Lankan start-ups to come up with innovative products and services to combat COVID-19.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund had total investments of US$ 114 million in Sri Lankan stocks by end of 2019. The fund has invested in 20 Sri Lankan companies. Private sector cooperation between Norway and Sri Lanka and increased trade and investment partnerships are welcomed and a key priority.
The Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries ( Norfund) has recently made Sri Lanka one of their key partner countries. Their role is to assist in building sustainable businesses and industries by providing equity capital and other risk capital. Norfund is owned and funded by the Norwegian Government and is the Government´s most important tool for strengthening the private sector in developing countries.
Norwegian investors and businesses are especially interested in investment opportunities in areas such as ICT, renewable energy, solar, wind and hydropower, as well as the maritime sector.
Norway stands together with Sri Lanka
I am pleased to see that Sri Lanka is slowly getting back to the new normality after implementing necessary measures to prevent the virus from spreading. Few days ago, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had a productive telephone discussion on our strong partnership, private sector cooperation, and sustainable development amidst the COVID-19 crisis. We believe that international cooperation and social inclusion are vital for long-term recovery from the pandemic, as is respect for fundamental human rights.
Norway and Sri Lanka have developed strong bilateral relations over 70 years based on mutual respect and cooperation. Our countries share democratic values and interests such as respect for human rights, rule of law, and free and fair elections among others. Both Norway and Sri Lanka are strong supporters of multilateral cooperation, international law including human rights law, and a strong United Nations system. Sustainable management and use of our oceans and blue economy are of great importance to the past and the future of both countries.
Through our longstanding relationship, we have seen the resilience of the people of Sri Lanka to rise up after many challenging times such as the tsunami, and the recent Easter Sunday attacks. Norway has been with Sri Lanka through many different and challenging phases and we continue to stand together with the people of Sri Lanka.
I believe that in this unprecedented time, it is crucial for all Sri Lankans to set aside their differences and come together as one strong nation that can take Sri Lanka forward. Our strong bilateral ties is ample proof of Norway’s commitment to continue be a consistent partner.