Norwegian Environment and Development Minister Erik Solheim has come under heavy fire for using cheap “budget tricks" to push the aid level up to 1 per cent of GNI next year.

In a record large budget, Solheim has in practice put a freeze on traditional aid, while multiplying funds to two key areas: refugee expenses in Norway; and rainforest protection aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Africa is given lower priority in this budget in sharp contrast with Swedish and Danish aid. (See Separate story).

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Carlsson and Solheim pull aid in opposite directions

Two Nordic donors from opposite ends of the political spectrum, both with aid levels of 1 per cent of GNI. In Sweden, the Conservative Gunilla Carlsson holds the aid portfolio. In Norway, Socialist Left Erik Solheim has one hand on the wheel. What are the main differences in their approaches?

Forestry experts worry that Norwegian forest carbon aid can undermine the rights of already marginalised forest-dependent peoples, and trigger a global land grab. Development Minister Erik Solheim rejects the notion of making recognition of indigenous people’s rights to forests a condition of forest aid.

Iceland, which aims to become an ambitious aid donor in relative terms, is considering seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund.

With the UN’s emergency fund approaching the end of its third year, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes laments that a small group of donors continues to supply most of the money. Just this month, the US made a first, small contribution to the fund.

Väyrynen tours Mozambique, Namibia

Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen recently toured Mozambique and Namibia to assess Finland’s aid engagement in the countries and promote trade relations.

Budget 2009: Norway plays down UN, Africa

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