Oil for Development - Annual Report 2020

Foreword 

2020 was the most challenging year in Oil for Development’s fifteenyear
long history. Travel restrictions and social distancing rules had a
major impact on a programme that traditionally has relied on physical
meetings, peer-to-peer learning and workshops as key methods for
capacity development. In some projects the shift to digital collaboration
worked out very well, whereas in others it was more challenging. A high
level of trust and strong ownership from partner institutions has been
crucial success factors.

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the health, economic and
social conditions in developing countries. The pandemic immediately
caused turmoil in the oil and gas market. At the same time, global
efforts to achieve the climate goals give rise to increased uncertainty
regarding the long-term outlook for the sector. A carbon-constrained
world will affect all petroleum producing countries, in particular new
producers and resource development in remote and undeveloped
regions. In recent years Oil for Development scaled up activities on
climate risk assessment, scenario analysis and measures to address
gas flaring and methane emissions. A process to review and reform
the Oil for Development programme in view of the goals of the Paris
Agreement was initiated in 2020.

I extend my gratitude to everyone who has walked the extra mile to
deliver good results in these challenging circumstances. Thank you!

Per Andreas W. Larsen
Acting Assistant Director
Oil for Development section, Norad