Bård Vegar Solhjell Steps Down as Director of Norad
Bård Vegar Solhjell steps down as the director of Norad after more than five years in the position. He will take up the position of CEO at Renewable Norway.
– Aid has become more important in a time with several global crises. Now, I leave with the knowledge that the directorate is very well equipped for the major tasks it faces in a challenging world, says Bård Vegar Solhjell, outgoing director of Norad.
Solhjell will take up the position of CEO at Renewable Norway, which is the interest and employer organization for the renewable energy sector.
– In the coming decades, energy will be integral for our security, the environment, and economic stability. For me, the position as CEO of Renewable Norway is a unique opportunity to work on the most important solution to the global climate crisis, namely renewable energy, says Solhjell.
Solhjell has been the director of Norad since January 2020. During this period, Norad has taken on large new tasks, significantly more funds, and a holistic responsibility for both long-term aid and emergency relief. Today, Norad manages around 30 billion Norwegian aid kroner.
Solhjell has worked to ensure that Norwegian aid is knowledge-based and more effective under the slogan "facts have power."
I am proud of what we who work at Norad have achieved together. Norwegian aid is now more knowledge-based and has a greater focus on results. Norad is also a stronger organization with a solid reputation, attracting highly competent employees. We have measurably greater efficiency. After five years of significant changes, I am confident that Norad will stand strong moving forward.
Solhjell will continue in his role as Norad director until the summer, but the final departure date has not yet been determined. It is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that will appoint a new director of Norad.
– I would like to thank Bård Vegar Solhjell for the cooperation and for the great effort he has put into Norwegian aid. He has further developed Norad into a strong and competent directorate for the management of Norwegian aid, which has also taken on new tasks during his tenure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will now start the work of finding his successor, says Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust (Ap).