A TEAM from the Kingdom of Norway, headed by that country’s ambassador to Brazil and Guyana, Aud Marit Wiig, is expected to arrive in Guyana this week to conduct a series of meetings and field visits to project sites which the Norway Government has supported through the Guyana-Norway Agreement. The team will include Anahita Yousefi from the Norwegian Ministry of Environment; Simon Ry, Development Policy Director; Tron Lovda, Senior Adviser at Norway’s Department for Climate, Energy and Environment; and Senior Adviser Hege Ragnhildstveit from the Rainforest Foundation of Norway.

The future of the Guyana-Norway Agreement, which has been shadowed by a cloud of uncertainty since the change in administration, was first discussed last December at a meeting held in Paris, France between the two countries in the presence of key representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said both parties had agreed at that time to formulate a document to determine the future of the relationship, and how best it can serve both countries. Trotman said he is looking forward to the visit, as it is imperative that the Norwegians see what has so far been accomplished under the project.

“We are committed to this relationship and its continuation. They will be meeting ministers, heads of agencies, the Opposition and civil society, and we are looking forward to a successful project,” Minister Trotman said.

The Minister noted that the initial agreement expired in 2015, but the two governments have a verbal agreement that works would continue, as there remain some outstanding deliverables.

“This is a fact-finding mission to see what has been accomplished so far, but we are both committed to finishing that previous one, and then entering into a new one,” Minister Trotman said.

Since the agreement was signed in 2009, Guyana has earned approximately US$190 million. Of the total amount, US$69.8 million have been transferred to the Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF) while US$80 million were transferred to the IDB for the delayed Amaila Falls Hydropower Power Project.

The team is also expected to meet with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.