The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) manages Norway’s relations with foreign countries, encompassing foreign aid, trade, and cooperation with international organizations. The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), a directorate under the MFA, administers grants for long-term aid in developing countries and humanitarian assistance. Norad also provides aid and administrative advice to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Norway’s development policy aims to promote economic development, democratization, the implementation of human rights, good governance, and sustainable measures to lift people out of poverty. Key priorities include education, humanitarian assistance, health and vaccination, private sector development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and human rights. In Asia, Norway’s official development program prioritizes long-term development cooperation in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Nepal. In addition, Afghanistan is a key partner country for stabilization and conflict prevention efforts.

In November 2024, Norway announced its intention to contribute up to $50 million to ADB’s Climate Action Catalyst Fund. The fund is designed to catalyze investments in transformative mitigation measures across ADB’s developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific. Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment emphasized that this contribution would enable Norway to access a range of high-quality mitigation projects in the region, while also promoting clean energy and low-carbon investments in the host countries.

Norway is a founding member of ADB and has, since 1966, committed $371.5 million to ADB special funds. Of this commitment, $327.1 million is for the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s low-income, developing member countries to help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life.