Department for Global Affairs

The Department is also responsible for humanitarian policy and human rights issues and plays a key role in the Ministry’s implementation of Norwegian development policy. The Department works in line with Norwegian interests to find solutions to global challenges, promote sustainable development and multilateral cooperation, and safeguard a world order based on international law.

The department consists of the following sections

• Section for Development Policy and Multilateral Development Banks

  The Section for Development Policy and Multilateral Development Banks is responsible for the overall coordination and further development of Norwegian development policy. The Section is responsible for Norway’s work with multilateral development banks and Norwegian debt policy. The Section’s various areas of responsibility provide a good basis for viewing development policy in a relevant geopolitical context. The Section also has responsibility for tasks relating to the budget, annual work plan processes, administration of subordinate agencies and other tasks that cut across the Department’s five sections.

• Section for Climate, the Ocean and Private Sector Development

  The Section for Climate, the Ocean and Private Sector Development is responsible for the Ministry’s efforts to incorporate international climate, ocean and environmental issues into Norwegian foreign and development policy, as well as efforts to promote renewable energy and business development in development cooperation.

• Section for UN Policy

  The Section for UN Policy has the overall responsibility for developing, promoting and coordinating Norway’s UN policy. The Section follows up Norway’s international efforts on the SDGs, financing for development, and the women, peace and security agenda. The Section is responsible for Norway’s efforts to strengthen and reform the UN, follow up the UN regular budget and administrative activities, and coordinate election issues and Norwegian candidacies to international organisations.

• Section for Humanitarian Policy and Long-term Development Initiatives

  The Section for Humanitarian Policy and Long-term Development Initiatives is responsible for developing Norwegian policy on humanitarian issues, health, education and food security and incorporating this into Norway’s foreign and development policy. The Section works to strengthen coordination between humanitarian action and long-term development efforts, in line with the humanitarian principles and the SDGs.

• Section for Human Rights, Partnerships and New Technologies

  The Section has responsibility for promoting and safeguarding human rights, democracy and equality as an integral part of Norway’s foreign and development policy, including efforts to promote cultural rights, and to protect cultural and world heritage.