Staff Reporter
MINISTER of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse is in Stavanger, Norway, where he is participating in the week-long Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Summit, as Namibia seeks to strengthen international partnerships and draw on global experience as it develops its emerging oil and gas sector.
Amutse’s visit began with a high-level networking engagement that brought together industry leaders for discussions on oil, gas and energy security.
The engagements provide Namibia with an opportunity to benchmark international best practices, strengthen partnerships and engage key players in the global energy sector.
The week-long programme, running from 24 to 27 August, includes discussions and activities focused on global energy trends, energy security, technological developments, sustainability and the future of the energy sector.
Amutse is accompanied by senior ministry officials and representatives from Namibia’s oil and gas and energy sectors.
The ONS Summit is an invitation-only high-level forum organised by the ONS Foundation alongside the larger biennial ONS energy conference and exhibition in Stavanger.
The forum brings together government leaders, senior executives, academics, industry representatives, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss geopolitical, environmental and energy-related issues affecting countries, energy companies and technology providers.
Established in 1974, ONS initially focused on North Sea oil and gas but has evolved into a global energy platform covering both conventional energy and the energy transition.
Its areas of focus include oil and gas, renewable energy such as offshore wind and hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, innovation, technology, geopolitics and sustainability.
The 2026 ONS event is being held under the theme “Courage” at the Stavanger Forum, with additional ONS+ networking and debate activities taking place around Stavanger harbour.
The ONS Foundation describes the forum as a meeting place for industry and government representatives that has, for more than five decades, sought to contribute to the development of the global energy sector and sustainable solutions.
The event is held under the patronage of King Harald V of Norway, with a member of the Norwegian Royal Family traditionally opening the event.
The 2024 ONS event attracted more than 70,000 visitors to the exhibition, while about 1,000 speakers shared their insights across nine conference venues, attended by approximately 20,000 participants.
Through its international network, the ONS Foundation also collaborates with global energy and policy platforms, including the Munich Security Conference, CERAWeek and the Centre on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.
Photo: Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy – MIME
