This involves sharing and participating in the development of knowledge, expertise and experience internationally. Norway also supports countries with weak health systems.

Infectious diseases know no borders

The coronavirus pandemic fully demonstrated how vulnerable and unprepared countries are for novel infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The pandemic reminded us how infectious diseases know no borders and that international cooperation is essential in managing international health crises.

Norway's health preparedness depends on well-functioning and sufficiently funded international systems for preparedness and response to health crises. For Norway, it is important to maintain a strong connection to the European Union's health preparedness, and to support WHO's leading and coordinating role in international health work, as well as global sharing of knowledge and information.

Ensuring national as well as global access to medical counter-measures (MCMs), such as medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and infection control equipment during pandemics is essential. Few countries, if any, have sufficient domestic production of MCMs needed to manage a health crisis on their own. Being a small and open economy, Norway also depends on trade and cooperation with other countries to ensure access to necessary MCMs – during and outside of global health crises.

Global Goals for Sustainable Development

In 2015, the UN member states adopted 17 global goals for sustainable development up to 2030. The goals established a framework for development and cooperation related to global challenges. The goals apply to all countries and are integrated and indivisible, meaning they all affect each other. Environment, economy and social development are treated in connection.

Efforts directed towards improved health, quality of life and the reduction of social inequalities is central. The Ministry of Health and Care Services and subordinate directorates have a special responsibility to implement actions under Sustainable Development Goal 3 (undp.org), which is about ensuring good health and promoting quality of life for all, regardless of age. This also goes for other health-related sustainability goals.

The threat of resistant microbes

Infectious diseases cannot be fought by any country alone. The same is true for antimicrobial resistance. Resistant microbes threaten to set back modern medicine for decades, as drugs against common infections become increasingly ineffective.

Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of premature deaths in the world, due to risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. Almost a quarter of all deaths worldwide are related to environmental conditions, especially air pollution.

The world's climate challenges affect both health and the environment, in the form of respiratory diseases, access to clean drinking water and food, and the spread of infectious diseases. Green health requires a green shift. Research and development takes place across national borders. There is extensive research cooperation both Nordic, regional and global.

The need for universal health coverage

Half of the world's population lacks access to basic health services. Universal health coverage means providing people with access to essential health services without pushing them into poverty.

Universal health coverage will strengthen health preparedness and will also be able to provide broad based social and economic development

Migration and demographic changes present new challenges to healthcare systems. Modern technology and digital solutions are revolutionising our ability to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases. At the same time, digital health technologies, such as artificial intelligence, raise questions and challenges related to monitoring, regulation, ethics and privacy.

Binding international agreements

Through international agreements, including the EEA Agreement, Norway is bound by international regulations in a number of areas. This applies, for example, to the pharmaceutical sector, the food sector and regulations regarding health personnel. Failure to implement and comply with international obligations can have major consequences.

Norway is committed in trade, both through European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), in several areas related to health, including rules for trade in goods and services. In recent years, there has been growing awareness that international trade and investment agreements can challenge the right of nation states to regulate to protect public health.

Central arenas for international cooperation are the European Union (EU), the Nordic Council of Ministers, the United Nations (UN) including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and cooperation in the High North.