According to the Norwegian ambassador to Angola, Kikkan Haugen, the platform, within the scope of best business practices, will "bring together the Angolan Government, the private sector and civil society to promote and support better governance in the exploitation of resources".
"We are pleased to see the steps that have been taken towards Angola's adherence to this international standard, which confirms the Angolan authorities' commitment to increasing transparency," stated the European diplomat.
Kikkan Haugen was speaking this Tuesday, in Luanda, at the opening of a "Forum on Business and Human Rights Angola-Norway" promoted by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MJDH) and the diplomatic mission he represents in Angola.
Angola's Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, Ana Celeste Januário, reported on the occasion that the country is in the process of joining the Extractive Industries Transparency initiative and that a national coordination commission has already been created.
Angola and Norway "have a long history of cooperation in the most diverse areas and domains and human rights represent one of the most important areas of cooperation", stressed the Norwegian ambassador to Angola.
Dialogue, training and sharing of experiences are the axes of cooperation, which began in 2013, between Angola and Norway in the chapter of human rights, for which reason the forum, referred to Kikkan Haugen, falls within the scope of sharing experiences.
"We believe that activities like this represent a win-win situation, that is, a win-win situation. Because Norwegian companies promoting these principles, human rights protection and transparency, are contributing to the promotion of values and practices that are at the top of the priorities of the Angolan Government", he pointed out.
Angolan, Norwegian companies, diplomats, MJDH technicians and others participate in this forum, which is taking place in Luanda.
