Speakers and panellists expressed that Norway’s future lies in the resources found along our long coastline, which can be used for both renewable energy and food production. The country needs a clear national vision for how to best use these resources, as well as increase its spending on research and development.

Close to 200 people had made it to Oslo City Hall to hear the three keynote speeches and the panel discussion, all focusing on challenges posed by future energy demand, innovation in energy production and effective models for cooperation between government, industry and research.

The Innovation Symposium was hosted by Oslo City Council, and marked the opening of Oslo Innovation Week, a whole week filled with activities dedicated to innovation and cooperation between investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and business managers. More than 25 events are happening in the Oslo region throughout the week.

Oslo Teknopol is the project manager for both the Innovation Symposium and Oslo Innovation Week 2009.