Erik Solheim

Erik Solheim

Erik Solheim is chair of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee since January 2013, and incoming executive director of the U.N. Environment Program. With a solid background in climate, the environment and peace building, Solheim was also Norway’s minister for international development from 2005 to 2012.

Latest Articles

Opinion: Packing your bags? Here are 4 ways to become a sustainable tourist

Opinion: Packing your bags? Here are 4 ways to become a sustainable tourist

over 8 years ago // Sustainability

The modern tourist wants to give back to the countries and communities they visit and reduce their impact on the environment. World Tourism Organization Director-General Taleb Rifai, U.N. Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa explain how to achieve that goal.

Setting out a new path for development aid

Setting out a new path for development aid

over 9 years ago // Aid spending

Development aid is essential for the poorest and a greener world. That's why it's important that the OECD opens more up for new countries to set out the rules and influence how aid is best spent, writes OECD-DAC Chair Erik Solheim in this exclusive guest column.

Businesses earning money is good for #globaldev

Businesses earning money is good for #globaldev

about 10 years ago // #WEF16

If the private sector doesn't profit from investment in developing countries, we will not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, writes Erik Solheim, chair of OECD's Development Assistance Committee, in this guest column. How is private investment key to development and poverty alleviation?

Germany can do more — and better —  for the environment and the world's poor

Germany can do more — and better — for the environment and the world's poor

about 10 years ago // Renewable energy

Germany is both applauded and criticized in a review of German development aid, writes Erik Solheim, chair of the Development Assistance Committee at OECD, in this commentary. How can the country do more, better?

'Well-spent' Belgian aid can still do more and better for the poorest nations

'Well-spent' Belgian aid can still do more and better for the poorest nations

over 10 years ago // Erik Solheim on Belgian development aid

Belgian aid has helped reduce poverty in the developing world and has created positive outcomes in fragile and conflict states. But it can do more, including by using aid to mobilize more private investments in developing countries, OECD's Development Assistance Committee chair writes in this guest commentary.

'New Zealand could do much more of what they do so well'

'New Zealand could do much more of what they do so well'

over 10 years ago // Erik Solheim on New Zealand development aid

On the release of the OECD-DAC peer review of New Zealand development assistance, its chair, Erik Solheim, explains why Wellington's ODA to small island states has been effective — and why it needs to ramp up development spending to be able to do more for the region.

Development cooperation in a new world

Development cooperation in a new world

over 10 years ago // Erik Solheim on emerging donors

Amid an evolving aid landscape, traditional providers of development cooperation and south-south providers have much to learn from each other. An exclusive commentary from OECD-DAC Chair Erik Solheim.

Small countries can tackle big problems

Small countries can tackle big problems

over 10 years ago // Eric Solheim on Lithuania

Big powers such as the U.S. and China cannot solve all the world's problems. There are a lot of things smaller countries, like Lithuania, can do for the planet, argues OECD-DAC Chair Erik Solheim in this exclusive #KAPTalks commentary.

Let’s do more of what works on the ground

Let’s do more of what works on the ground

almost 11 years ago // #innov8aid

Scalable innovative solutions are key to closing remaining development gaps, and they need to be promoted, writes Erik Solheim, chair of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Development Assistance Committee.

Austrian development assistance supports global public goods

Austrian development assistance supports global public goods

about 11 years ago // Erik Solheim on Austrian aid

In a peer review published yesterday, OECD urged Austria to set a timetable for meeting the 0.7 percent aid target. But Austria could also do so much more to ensure its development assistance would have maximum impact, Erik Solheim writes in this exclusive guest opinion.