An evaluation of Norwegian aid to the hydropower sector over the last quarter-century concludes that Norway has been a consistent, predictable donor. But the environment and anti-corruption concerns have taken a back seat.

The UNDP Human Development Report for 2007-8 focuses on climate change and global injustices, and chides Northern governments for not honouring their commitments to assist developing countries adapt to climate change.

Denmark announces plans to increase aid

In the new Danish government programme, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen announces that Denmark will increase its aid level for the first time in six years. The PM thereby indicates a shift to the centre away from the right-wing Danish People’s Party and toward the new upstart party, New Alliance.

After revelations of embezzlement at the Luanda office of EISA last year, three donors demanded that the African NGO take action to ensure that this would not happen again. EISA complied. DfID and Norad are now satisfied that EISA has dealt with the problem. Sida has followed a much harder line.

Historically, aid tying in the Norwegian hydropower sector has been important in allowing private and state entities to gain international experience, and later to be able to compete for other contracts. The Scanteam evaluation assesses the importance of Norwegian aid financing for three groups:

Statkraft under fire

A report by the Norwegian advocacy group FIVAS and the San Francisco-based International Rivers documents persisting negative environmental impacts of the Theun Hinboun Dam in Laos, which is part-owned by the Norwegian power company, Statkraft.

In response to a critical evaluation of Norwegian development research, the Board of the Norwegian Research Council’s Division for Strategic Priorities has decided to increase the level of “free" money available for research in the development field.

Norway and the World Bank have not yet been able to agree upon the focus of a study on the role of tax havens in capital flight from developing countries. Norway wants a broad study tax havens and global corruption, while the Bank wants a more narrow focus on public officials involved in corruption.

The framework has now been set for the Norwegian-led task force on illicit financial flows from developing countries and the impact on development. The first meeting of the group will take place in Oslo December 12-13.