Erik Solheim showed great commitment to Sudan and followed up personally the strong Norwegian commitment to contribute to peace in Sudan; and since 9 July 2011 to peace between Sudan and South Sudan. Through the years he visited Sudan more than 10 times and held discussions with most top politicians on all current issues. He visited not only the capital but also paid visits to Darfur and East Sudan and other parts of Sudan. He strongly supported an active engagement policy and the need for economic development to create social development and preserving the rights of all citizens.
In June 2010, visiting Khartoum with his Troika partners from the US and UK, he made a strong commitment to support economic development in Sudan through inter alia holding of an economic conference for Sudan. During Mr. Solheim’s tenure the Norwegian oil for development programme was developed into a worldwide approach to support development. The Norwegian oil for development programme in Sudan is the single most important cooperation programme between Sudan and Norway and Erik Solheim personally signed a new 3 year cooperation agreement with Minister of Petroleum Al Jaz in February this year.
Erik Solheim is replaced by Heikki Holmås as Minister for International Development, however without the environment portfolio.