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Munich Security Conference: Europe’s Moment of Truth ‘Zeitenwende’, German for turning point, was the word used by German Chancellor Scholz after Russia’s war against Ukraine began. Back from #msc2025, I cannot help but wonder if it marked the real Zeitenwende: ➡️ If Davos was bad, this was an outright disaster for Europe as the transatlantic partnership is ostensibly fraying and this week’s negotiations over ‘peace’ in Ukraine are held without it ➡️ Even though no one explicitly said so, US security guarantees for Europe are now in doubt, an ambivalence which may be enough to undermine NATO’s Article 5. This at a time when Europe clearly cannot defend itself ➡️ I have always said: Russia’s war was never ‘only’ against Ukraine but Europe-at-large. My take-away from last year’s MSC was that the war will spread. I think there is now no doubt about it and in fact would argue that this is already happening in terms of hybrid warfare, i.e. attacks on undersea cables, cyber threats, assassination attempts. This can only get worse, with an emboldened Putin and a palpable trend towards ‘might is right’ geopolitics. Now what? ☑️ Unity: only by speaking with one voice and being aligned around strategic objectives can Europe hope to be heard and defend its interests. We will need more pooling of sovereignty but in exchange must demand more strategic EU policy planning ☑️ Stand by Ukraine: Haphazard actions and no red lines have been a recipe for failure. Because Ukraine’s security is inextricably linked to ours, helping Ukraine is akin to helping ourselves ☑️ Deterrence: Europe’s long tradition of appeasement has failed with pretty much every adversary. If no one is afraid of Europe, we will suffer the consequences (and in fact, already are) ☑️Manufacturing & Industry: in times of war, a robust industrial base and reliable supply chains are a must. Effective immediately, we need meticulous mapping of industrial capacity by country and sector, including a strategy to sustain those that are most relevant for security and defense ☑️ Prioritization, incl. fiscal: Not all policies can now be of the same importance, so political discipline will be key, also in fiscal allocations. It’s now without doubt that Europe will need to significantly increase defense spending ☑️ Public awareness: on balance, politicians have been coy about the geopolitical, economic and security realities Europe is facing. Now is time to talk Realpolitik, address trade-offs, sequencing and sacrifices that are in order to secure freedom, peace and sovereignty ☑️ Alliances: Europe now needs to build on – and establish – new partnerships. Mercosur comes to mind, and the Commission’s forthcoming visit to India will hopefully cement closer ties with the world’s largest democracy. Also relations to Canada should be deepened. As should ties with US companies with sizeable operations in Europe. They will have vital interest in seeing their investments protected. #msc2025

At the end of the first day of the Munich Security Conference there came Zelenskyy walking by. 🇺🇦 Ended Friday evening at Google Night Cap talking to some really excellent people about energy (and sheep farming actually!). Today we started up with a great talk with BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt at their Energy Hub, where also Leif Johan Sevland from ONS participated in a debate with Commisioner Dombrovskis of EU, NATO and Alexa Capital. We then heard Zelenskyy in a frank and open manner adressing that Ukraine want peace -of course-, but not at any cost, and not without being part of the negotiations. We then saw several panels with prime ministers, the NATO Secretary-General and ambassadors at Bayerisher Hof. The strongest impression was made by Mette Frederiksen, she seemed concerned with the future and it felt like a call to the future of the disturbing times we are at urging Europeans not to look away. Now is the time to act, if we want to preserve our way of life. We also managed to have a nice lunch meeting with Jason Bordoff of CGEP of Columbia University, and a great talk with Atlantic Council. Last meeting of the evening was attending a meeting with Halo and Cindy McCain from the World Food Programme. Met up with Maroccon representatives at the Politico Pub. Next up, EY executive night cap and perhaps also the MSC cup - if the energy level is still there.

What’s not to love? I grew up in politics, love it, think it’s one of the most meaningful ways of engaging in the society. As the Programme Director of ONS I have the privilige to attend the Munich Security Conference - and truly - it is a privilege and an honour. Some of the most important players in the world attend this conference. Today, Leif Johan Sevland and I had the pleasure of co-hosting a roundtable on energy security together with MSC on clean tech and energy security, moderated by Ann Mettler of Breakthrough Energy . This brings insight of course, but first and foremost I hope it drives the energy future forward. Further on we witnessed the eminent Ursula von der Leyen, and J D Vance, and several other distinguest guests state their key messages on the main stage to the audience. JD Vance came out shockingly high, kind of attacking Europe for not defending true values and democracy. He said Europe needs to increase the defense budgets (as we should), but that we need a stock take on what we are actually defending. Attended an event at BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt where Christian Bruch, Anders Opedal and Ann Mettler amongst others were on stage. Europe needs acceleration, to build capacity and cut red tape. And everybody is grateful for Norway and Equinor delivering when Europe is in need of energy. We need to entrust the industry to take us further. Last roundtable of the day was on China, organized by RAND. Very interesting! An amazing day and there is still Google night cap to look forward to before the end of the day.

Build, Baby, Build: Advancing Clean Energy - Roundtable Munich Security Conference A successful roundtable today in Munich, gathering governmental representatives, industry executives & global thinkers. Leif Johan Sevland Wolfgang Ischinger #MSC2025 #MSCreport #ONS2026

Day 1 at Munich Security Conference – ONS and MSC are hosting a roundtable about clean tech and clean energy ambitions. Leif Johan Sevland Inger Lise Rettedal

Why should you be in Stavanger for the High Wind conference on 4 March? We asked Birger Haraldseid, Project Manager for High Wind, and his answer was loud and clear: 🤝 Meet the right people 📈 Get updated insights 🌐 Gain a value chain perspective on the status and foresights for Offshore Wind in the North Sea Basin To get the most out of High Wind remember to sign up for one of the 4 optional workshops on 5 March: 📚Training, Education, and Certification:  Addressing the status of training and certification in the North Sea area and exploring ways to enable alignment across borders. Contributors include The Norwegian Offshore Wind Competence Centre, Energy Innovation, and educational institutions from Esbjerg, Aberdeen, and Groningen/Eemshaven. 🛠️New Technology Solutions Related to Offshore Wind:  Presentations of new concepts and technologies from around the North Sea, with contributions from the Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster and Innovation Norway. 🏗️The Need for Land-Based Infrastructure:  Discussing the infrastructure requirements necessary to support offshore wind development, featuring insights from the Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster, Innovation Norway, and invited ports from around the North Sea Basin. 🌬️Impact Wind Workshop:  A research project relating to the social and economic impact of offshore wind development and operations, organized by the Impact Wind project and its lead partner Norce. The offshore wind industry is at a pivotal moment, facing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. High Wind 2025 is bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of offshore wind energy, particularly in the North Sea region. By gathering leading players from both government and regions, the intention is to share insights and foster dialogue around the challenges and opportunities for the Offshore Wind sector. Secure your tickets today and be part of the excitement! 🎟️ High Wind 2025 promises to be an essential event for anyone involved in the offshore wind industry, providing valuable insights and fostering important discussions on the future of this vital sector. Get your tickets today: https://www.highwind.no/ #Highwind2025 #HighwindConferance #EnergyTransition #Stavanger

Great to be back in Munich. Sad to hear about the car that went in to the croud just blocks away from where we live and injured 30 people. 🇺🇦 Munich Security Conference is starting today, and the international world has it’s eyes and ears focused on Munich. Peace talks of Ukraine is the highlight of the discussions. A treaty on Ukraine must involve Ukraine and hence Europe, not be negotiated overseas by US and Russia. A country’s sovereignty should be unbreakable and a country’s destiny not let to others to decide upon. Putin wants to have an election in Ukraine, but how can one vote when the men are at the front and family’s are displaced out of the country. Besides, Ukraine is under martial law hence no elections can be held. Zelenskyy will adress the MSC tomorrow morning. He is under great pressure and his speech will be a history leason to come. 🚜 ONS Foundation startet out our visit in Munich attending World Food Programme’s Innovation Forum. We were invited to a panel discussion on scaling innovation and leveraging technology for saving and changes lives with Google, United Nations Organisations in Rome and the Farm to Market Alliance. Food security and energy security is interlinked and we need to bridge the gap on these discussions on naural resources. 🎻 We were invited to the opening concert of Munich Security Conference with Akemi Murakami performing Schubert. This was followed by a debate between war journalists telling the tale of human sacrifices in war and supression, from Ukraine, to North Korea and Gaza. Their job is to go where no one else goes and tell the stories no one gets to say. A powerful debate in an old stone church humanising the numbers of war. 🎤 We are now getting ready for the formal opening of Munich Security Conference at Bayerisher Hof. We are arranging a joint roundtable with Munich Security Conference this morning on clean tech and clean energy ambitions, exploring international cooperation amidst rising protectionism. Ann Mettler from Breakthrough Energy will moderate the discussions.

Refueling at my farm upon travelling to Munich Security Conference tomorrow with ONS. Really looking forward to listen to the leaders of the world discussing the urgent and important matters for our safety and for our future. 🙌 💥Energy security is of high importance in the geopolitical landscape, energy is used as a weapon and is at risk. 🌊 Climate change consequences impacts us more and more every day; severe weather, extreme heat, drought, flooding, crop failures. It happens on all continents. Can we fast-track the combat of climate change? ⚡️ The global energy mix is still 80% fossil fuel vs 20% renewable energy sources and carriers. How can we balance this out fast enough? And when shall we debate how clean ‘green and clean tech’ really is. 🌍 600 million people in Africa live without access to electricity, and nearly 1 billion do not have access to clean cooking supplies. This has health impact. How shall we facilitate a just transition? 🥩🌱Food security and energy security is highly interlinked. Migration will be more frequent. There can be shortage of pure water in the times to come. With scarcity of natural resources, who will be first in line, and how do we create and sustain a secure food system. I take these questions and reflections with me, and look forward to new insight and energy refill.

Energy & Health goes together 🎗️ 🎀 🌟 We are delighted to renew our agreement with Kreftforeningen The Norwegian Cancer Society! We look forward to continuing our collaboration leading up to ONS 2026. Hege Olsen Tonje Skålevik #Collaboration #NorwegianCancerSociety #ONS2026

🎶 Shell extends its support for the ONS Concert for three more ONS events! 🎉 Norske Shell is Main Partner for the concerts at ONS 2026, ONS 2028 and ONS 2030. Shell has been the Main Partner for the ONS Concert since 2018 and has committed to prolonging the partnership for three more ONS events. Thank you, Shell! ❤️ “As an event that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy outstanding local and Norwegian music artists in a unique waterfront setting, the ONS Concert highlights some of the finest aspects of Norway and Stavanger. We are delighted to continue our support for the next three ONS events,” says Marianne Olsnes, Managing Director for Norske Shell. "We are extremely grateful for the support Shell is showing us,” says Leif Johan Sevland, President and CEO of ONS.