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Norway remains one of UNESCO’s top government donors and a principled, long-standing partner, providing flexible funding for education, and support for culture, freedom of expression, and the work of the International Oceanographic Commission. This partnership is anchored in shared commitments to inclusion, equality, human rights, and sustainability — values that are increasingly vital in today’s global landscape.

Assistant Directors-General Stefania Giannini (Education) and Tawfik Jelassi (Communication and Information) engaged with key Norwegian counterparts, including members of Parliament and government officials. The delegation was accompanied by Halvor Hvideberg, Ambassador of Norway to the OECD and UNESCO, and Svein Hullstein, Secretary-General of the Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO.

At the Norwegian Parliament, the delegation met with Hege Bae Nyholt and Kjersti Wøyen Funderud, Chair and member of the Standing Committee on Education and Research. The discussion focused on the role of education in safeguarding democratic values, the importance of media literacy to counter disinformation, and UNESCO’s support in crisis contexts such as Gaza and Ukraine.

The visit also included high-level meetings with Kari Nessa Nordtun, Minister of Education; Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Stine Renate Håheim, State Secretary for International Development; Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and Environment; and Erlend Kaldestad Hanstveit, State Secretary for Culture and Equality.

Across these discussions, common priorities emerged around protecting multilateralism, having an effective UN system, and the need to protect values such as human rights, gender equality, and freedom of expression in a polarised global context.

“As a longstanding partner of UNESCO, Norway sees a well-functioning, inclusive and representative multilateral system as essential. UNESCO’s normative role must be protected and strengthened,” said Kari Nessa Nordtun, Minister of Education.

“We are seeing a trust deficit and a liquidity crisis in the multilateral system. As a longstanding supporter of UNESCO, Norway sees this as the time for bold and radical solutions — not just reaction. UNESCO must be part of that transformation,” said Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

“We are facing a multitude of global challenges — and UNESCO’s mandate remains fundamental to sustainable peace and development. Norway remains firmly committed to 1% of GNI for ODA,” said Stine Renate Håheim, State Secretary for International Development.

“UNESCO at 80 must ask: are we truly transforming lives? Are we making our stakeholders more successful? Through our mandate — from freedom of expression to digital governance — we must answer yes,” said Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information. “We are proud of our partnership with Norway, grounded in shared commitments for a resilient, democratic multilateral system.”

“We cannot waste this moment. In a constrained financing landscape, we must scale up bold reforms — building on the successful reform of the SDG 4–Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee launched at Norway’s call, and led by UNESCO,” added Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education.

At Norad, the delegation exchanged with Bård Vegar Solhjell, Director General of Norad, on the shifting global aid landscape and the importance of safeguarding UNESCO’s mandate and financial stability amid geopolitical uncertainty.

At a time of increased urgency, the UNESCO–Norway partnership remains rooted in shared values. The visit to Oslo reaffirmed a mutual commitment to education, culture, freedom of expression, and multilateralism as foundations of democratic and resilient societies.