Open Seminar with Anna Bjerde, MD Operations, World Bank and State Secretary Bjørg Sandkjær

Time: Thursday 25. January, 14:00 – 15:15 CET (Coffee is served from 13:45)

Place: Norad, Bygdøy allé 2, Oslo, Info center 5. floor

In-person participation only.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad hereby invite to an open seminar with Anna Bjerde MD Operations and State Secretary Bjørg Sandkjær to discuss the World Bank’s updated mandate: “To create a world free of poverty on a liveable planet.”

There is broad recognition that the world must do more to address the crises facing development. The devastating impacts of climate change, fragility, debt, pandemics, and other threats to our natural world require a significant shift in the global response. The World Bank is central to these efforts, and the Bank has since early 2023 been undergoing an evolution process centered around the need to become a “better and bigger bank” that is fit-for-purpose to respond to the most pressing needs of people and the planet.

In addition to World Bank’s Managing Director Bjerde and State Secretary Sandkjær, Norfund’s Ylva Lindberg, NUPI’s Ole Jacob Sending, and Norad’s Per Fredrik Pharo will join for a panel discussion. The panel will focus on what the updated mandate means for low- and middle-income countries, and how to make the right priorities to both eradicate extreme poverty and address global challenges, including climate change, energy, and food insecurity.

Program:

13:45 – 14:00 Coffee and mingling

14:00 – 14:03 Welcome - Gunvor W. Skancke, Director of Partnerships and Shared Prosperity, Norad

14:03-14:10 Introductory remarks - Bjørg Sandkjær, State Secretary, MFA

14:10-14:25 On the World Bank’s updated mandate: «To create a world free of poverty on a liveable planet.” - Anna Bjerde, MD of Operations, World Bank

14:25-15:00 Panel discussion

• Anna Bjerde, MD of Operations, World Bank
• Ylva Lindberg, EVP of Strategy & Communication, Norfund
• Ole Jacob Sending, Research Director, NUPI
• Per Fredrik Pharo, Director of Climate and Environment, Norad

Moderator: Gunvor W. Skancke

15:50-10:10 Questions/ comments from audience

15:10-15:15 Concluding remarks - Bjørg Sandkjær

To register for the seminar, please click here.