Development cooperation 2009

The objective of Norway’s development policy is to fight poverty and bring about social justice. In its budget for 2009, the Government achieved its target of allocating 1 percent of gross national income (GNI) to international development. This budget post has been increased by NOK 3.9 billion and totals NOK 26.2 billion for this year.

The Government will continue to focus its efforts on priority areas where Norway can make the greatest contribution: the environment and sustainable development; peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian assistance; oil and clean energy; women and gender equality; good governance and the fight against corruption; and efforts to reach the health-related Millennium Development Goals. Norway places particular emphasis on efforts to fight climate change and deforestation. Our funding for education will increase by NOK 115 million, for women and gender equality by NOK 65 million, and for clean energy by NOK 200 million.

This website provides more information about Norway’s development cooperation efforts.

Operationalizing deliveries of interventions for MDG4,5,6 combined

[Speech/article, The Office of the Prime Minister, 24.11.2009]

by State Secretary Mina Gerhardsen

Norway provides NOK 60 million to promote women’s rights

[Press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24.11.2009]

Norway will provide NOK 40 million (USD 7 million) to UN efforts to combat female genital mutilation and violence against women in developing countries. At the same time, Norway will contribute NOK 20 million (USD 3.5 million) to the new UN Fund for Gender Equality.

Record-high aid budget in time of crisis

[Press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13.10.2009]

The Norwegian Government proposes that NOK 27.4 billion should be allocated to development assistance in 2010. This is an increase of NOK 1.2 billion from 2009.

Mor og nyfødt barn. Foto: UNICEF HQ 1366 Pirozzi

Billions to improve health services for women and children in developing countries

[Press release, The Office of the Prime Minister, 24.09.2009]

At a meeting at the UN in New York on 23 September, rich and poor countries pledged a total of USD 5.3 billion to improve the health of mothers and children in the world’s 49 poorest countries.

Child mortality continues to drop

[News story, The Office of the Prime Minister, 10.09.2009]

“It is heartening to see that the fight against child mortality is producing results. But we must intensify our efforts if we are to achieve Millennium Development Goal 4, which is to reduce by two-thirds the number of children who die before the age of five by 2015,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Norway urges parties in Sudan to accept ruling on oil region

[Press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22.07.2009]

Norway urges the parties in Sudan to respect the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to redraw the boundaries of the important oil region Abyei. - It is also important that the court’s ruling is made known and explained to local groups that are affected in Abyei, Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim said.