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Dear friends, good afternoon,

We are honoured to have President Macron here with a high-level delegation of ministers and CEOs. Great to see so many of the leading companies from Norway and France represented.

A few introductory words:

Firstly, we live in turbulent, unpredictable times, as businesses and governments:

  • War in Europe and in the Middle East.
  • Rising trade tensions.
  • And above all: The global climate changes.

Secondly, our times are also characterized by transitions; they affect all businesses, industries and governments:

  • Energy transition – from fossil to renewables.
  • Technological, digital transitions, AI.
  • Decarbonisation of the industrial sector.
  • Many countries face: Demographic transition – more elders.
  • Security: More resources allocated to defence & resilience.

Thirdly, on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). My government’s objectives;

  • to demonstrate CCS as an important part of the global climate solution; this is Norway’s “moon landing project”,
  • and to develop a green industry based on CO2 storage on a commercial basis at the Norwegian continental shelf.
  • The Norwegian continental shelf is well suited for CO2 storage. France has large industrial CO2 emitters.
  • In the afternoon, we will sign a strategic partnership agreement, and an administrative arrangement to allow for cross-border transport of CO2.
  • Our economies – Norway and France – are deeply connected. Norway is one of the most integrated non-EU members of the Single Market. Two-thirds of our exports go to the EU. France is our 5th largest partner for exports globally.

Now, I leave the floor to the panelists.