Foreword

Corruption is one of the greatest threats to democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development, depriving society of resources intended for vital areas such as schools, health care and the green transition. In this way, corruption undermines trust between citizens and the authorities, exacerbates inequality both within and between countries, prevents the fair distribution of resources and compromises countries’ ability to address common challenges.

Norway has clear foreign and development policy objectives: to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and human rights; to ensure sustainable development; and to reduce inequality and advance gender equality. To achieve these objectives, we must tackle the structural causes of poor governance and corruption.

Norway is therefore seeking to play a leading role in global efforts to combat corruption. We are working to strengthen international anti-corruption obligations and standards and to ensure compliance with them. We are also supporting developing countries’ efforts to build robust institutions and fair societies. This was one important reason why Norway took on a role as co-facilitator of the Sevilla Commitment, the declaration adopted at the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. In this role, we helped to build agreement on scaling up capacity-building support for domestic resource mobilisation and for implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption. For the first time anti-corruption was recognised as a cross-cutting issue and an essential basis for success in tax reform and the mobilisation of private investment – an important outcome for Norway.

Success in development policy depends on an integrated approach that also includes the fight against corruption. We are therefore taking steps to ensure that anti-corruption is integrated as a cross-cutting issue in all development assistance. This underscores that fighting corruption is not an isolated effort but an essential basis for achieving our development policy goals.

Anti-corruption is also a very important element of Norway’s large-scale support for Ukraine. Confidence in institutions will be crucial to Ukraine’s future, both to counter covert influence activities and to provide a solid basis for reconstruction. Norway has therefore recently concluded agreements totalling almost NOK 200 million in funding to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption.

To maintain Norway’s credibility internationally, it is vital that we ourselves meet the obligations and standards we contribute to establish. The Government has recently amended the relevant legislation to enhance transparency in the funding of political parties – an important step in countering covert influence activities and strengthening trust in democracy. Norway’s robust systems in this area and the valuable experience we have gained mean that we can make a real contribution internationally. This is why Norway is one of a group of countries that is submitting a resolution at the eleventh session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to ensure greater transparency in political financing globally.

Fighting corruption will never be easy, but with political will, a long-term perspective, effective international cooperation and clear priorities, we can play a part in bringing about real change.

This document will be important in consolidating and clarifying Norway’s positions and expectations with regard to international efforts to combat corruption. It is also intended to be a tool to help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norad, the diplomatic and consular missions and our partners to work together coherently and effectively.

Espen Barth Eide

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Åsmund Grøver Aukrust

Minister of International Development