Foreign affairs
The main tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to promote Norway’s interests internationally and provide assistance to Norwegian nationals abroad. An important part of the Ministry’s work is to make sure that Norway ‘speaks with one voice’ in international forums. In this context, the Ministry works to coordinate the efforts of other ministries and give guidance.
Major effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic’s economic and social ramifications will be dramatic. Poor countries with weak health systems and vulnerable population groups will likely be the hardest hit in terms of lives lost and economic damage.
What the EEA Agreement covers
Norwegians have the same rights and obligations as other EEA citizens when it comes to trade, investments, banking and insurance, and buying and selling services. They also have the same right to work, study and live in other countries in the EEA.
Program to Combat Marine Litter and Microplastics
In 2018, the Norwegian government launched a new development programme to combat marine litter and microplastics. The programme is intended to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.1 which states that by 2025, the world should prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
Related topics and insights
What's new
Norway's support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries
08/08/2022: An overview of Norway’s support to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is available below. This information will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Afghanistan: Joint statement after meeting in Oslo
25/01/2022: Norway hosted 23 January a meeting in Oslo between a group of Afghans from various sectors of the society and the de facto authorities – the first such meeting. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss pressing issues directly and to prepare ground for further discussions. The participants gave a joint statement after the meeting.
Documents
Norway’s Role and Interests in Multilateral Cooperation
Rules-based international cooperation makes the world safer and more stable. Norway’s security, economy and prosperity depends on it. At the same time, international cooperation is under pressure. The white paper on Norway’s role and interests in multilateral cooperation will guide Norwegian multilateral policy in the coming years.
2019-2022
Guidelines to Work on Women, Peace and Security
The Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security sets out Norway’s policy for following up the resolutions on women, peace and security. These Guidelines are an aid for the foreign service missions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad – a tool that will help to translate policy into practice. The Guidelines supplement the Action Plan and must be read together with it.