Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, has been appointed as one of seven meeting leaders at the annual summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in January 2018.
At the end of October, Børge Brende of Høyre (H), Norway’s Foreign Minister,become president of the WEF elite economic caucus, headquartered in Switzerland.
The organisation is known for its annual summits, which bring together powerful people from all over the world. It is a focal point of action for the so-called ’New World Order’.
From the 23rd to the 26th of January next year, Brende will meet his former boss,
Erna Solberg, when she will be one of seven ‘co-chairs’ at the assembly, according
to ABC News.
Other meeting leaders include the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Christine Lagarde, and General Sharan Burrow of the global ITUC organisation.
© NTB Scanpix / Norway Today
Statement by Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway at a joint press conference with all the co-chairs of World Economic Forum 2018 in Davos, 23 January 2018.
«I would like to focus on two issues that are close to my heart and essential to the achievement of the global goals: Anti-corruption and gender equality.
Both relate to equal opportunities for all.
First:
Corruption and illegal financial flows, are linked to the whole range of security threats we face today: Climate change, terror, organised crime, cyber-crime, to mention but a few.
We face multiple challenges, not limited by national boundaries.
In many countries inequality increases.
That feeds frustration and alienation. Conflicts multiply.
Corruption is a common denominator.
Corruption is destructive for economic, social, environmental and political development.
We need to promote joint action by governments, public sector, business, multilateral organisations and civil society on anti-corruption.
Perhaps a “me too” inspired campaign is what we need?
We need strong measures to weed out corruption in and among countries.»
Which is all true of course but nothing new!
But are we to believe that this is not evident in the country she represents?
Why is she raising the corruption issue, as it is a domestic problem in all countries as each country is sadly aware of. Need they be told?
Let us tend to our own corruption issues in each country and sadly Norway is in any way better than many other countries. A bit arrogant in the least. Little Norway, the rich country up north which wants to play a significant huge role in the world of today or even yesterdays, being mediators of no success, not everlasting at least.
Even in Norway, governmental departments, their ministers and parliament members are violating the laws, ( or seem oblivious to rules, regulations and laws ) ever so often and work in close collaboration with private companies where close ties are not to be existent, ( where free competition opportunities are seemingly violated ), depriving local authorities of their rightful governing and prevents local authorities from enforcing the laws that’s been given them. Should Norway then, be the one to preach of corruption and equality? I dare say no. They should be humble, listen and learn from other countries and their cultures. By that, they may become more humble and rule more wisely.
Norway today goes against the mainstream of Europe whereas huge toxic waste is concerned. Yes Norway is exhibiting a main and duly concern when it comes to pollution of plastic in the ocean. But pollution to their waters, fjords, oceans, nature as a whole as well as people are not being looked upon as gravely as it should. In spite of the Basel convention, where regaining, recycling and cleansing of toxic waste is predominantly a goal for the future. Not so according to Norway and their department of climate and environment. They on the other hand allow a private owned company to carry on importing tonnes upon tonnes of toxic waste from throughout Europe as well as importing batteries from Israel and God only knows what else. Only to dig these substances of toxic waste, as fly ash containing heavy metals and dioxins, sulphuric acid, just to mention a few, down under the feet of thousands of nearby citizens in a small wooden town named Brevik by the coastline of Telemark county, in very close vicinity to the mentioned citizens.
These toxic substances are to be stored in 60 years old leaky mines, which every day are pumped of 2 million litres of water and it does not raise much imagination to realize the probable results of such a disastrous and hazardous interaction with nature. Gypsum or the filter-cake as the company chose to call it, better known as Calcium sulphate, shall in spite of the company Noah’s own prediction, dissolve into the waters of the fjords where the mines are situated. All sea-life shall be affected, fisheries of today shall diminish, and generations shall be devastatingly affected. Twenty million tonnes of this toxic waste shall literally flow into the fjords and ocean sea beds.
These are just some examples of what the Norwegian government is about to permit a private company to do. Which results in filling the owner’s pockets of billions in Norwegian currency and to no avail for anyone else.
Eva Joly, the Norwegian / French investigator and fighter of corruption said lately of this interaction between governmental civil servants in Norway and this private company, as ties too closely knit and not acceptable.
Can this be corruption?