Focusing on areas where Norway can make a difference. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway (15.10.2025)

The Government has proposed an overall aid budget of NOK 56.6 billion for 2026. This is equivalent to one per cent of Norway’s estimated GNI and is thus in line with the target set by the Government.

‘Cuts in funding have sent seismic shocks through the aid sector over the past year, and it is more important than ever to focus on areas where every krone we provide can have maximum impact. Women’s rights is one such area. The right to decide over one’s own body and life has been under pressure for a number of years, and this pressure is increasing. Norway must lead the way in this battle of values,’ said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.

In the budget proposal for 2026, the Government has proposed an increase in funding of NOK 80 million for targeted efforts to promote gender equality. This includes NOK 40 million in support to UN Women. This funding will be used to provide women and girls with access to family planning and safe abortion services and sexuality education. The aim is to remove obstacles to women and girls’ participation in society, which is crucial to combating poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people is a natural component of the efforts to safeguard everyone’s right to decide over their own body and life.

The Government is also giving priority to reducing inequality, and in particular to the efforts to enhance the ability of developing countries to mobilise domestic resources. This includes the work to develop a framework convention on international tax cooperation, which will involve addressing challenges such as illicit financial flows, tax evasion and corruption.

‘If we are successful in combating illicit financial flows, which deprive developing countries of vital tax revenues, the value of the funds recovered each year could amount to at least 10 times the Norwegian aid budget. At a time when we are seeing a decline in global aid funding, we must target our efforts towards solving structural challenges, as this would significantly advance the fight against poverty,’ said Mr Aukrust.

The Government’s overarching foreign policy priority is to continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom. If the Ukrainian people are to be able to withstand Russia’s war of attrition, it is essential to ensure that Ukraine can maintain essential services. For this reason, the Government has proposed an increase in civilian support to Ukraine of NOK 2.5 billion, including an additional NOK 500 million for humanitarian efforts in the country.

‘Over the past few months, Russia has intensified its air strikes on Ukraine’s civilian population and the country’s energy supply. Every week, we are witnessing the devastating impacts of Russian drone and missile attacks on civilians, including children. Along the front line, conditions are critical, and it is here that the needs are greatest. Many people have lost family members, homes have been destroyed, and agricultural land has been contaminated by mines. Targeted attacks on infrastructure have disrupted the local population’s access to lighting and heating. These people are in need of life-saving assistance, and Norway’s humanitarian support is being used to alleviate their situation,’ said Mr Aukrust.