Departments
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Secretariat of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Secretariat is responsible for a number of different support functions for the Minister and political staff. This includes preparation of speeches and presentations, planning of meetings and travel as well as relations with the Storting.
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Secretariat of the Minister of International Development
The Secretariat is responsible for a number of different support functions for the Minister and political staff. This includes preparation of speeches and presentations, planning of meetings and travel as well as relations with the Storting.
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Foreign Service Control Unit
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Communication Unit
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Department for European Affairs and International Trade
The Department for European Affairs and International Trade is responsible for Norway’s relations with the European Union, including matters relating to the EEA Agreement, the Schengen cooperation, justice and home affairs, and cooperation with EU institutions. It is also responsible for: matters relating to global migration; coordination of Norway’s approach in relation to the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; follow-up of the Government’s Strategy for Cooperation with the EU and of Norway’s European policy; analysis of European policy issues; Nordic cooperation; bilateral relations with all European countries, including the Balkan countries and Turkey; coordination of work relating to the EEA and Norway Grants; and leading the work on Brexit within the Foreign Ministry and in the government administration as a whole. The Department is also responsible for safeguarding Norwegian economic interests through international trade-related processes under the WTO and the OECD.
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Department for Security Policy and the High North
Norwegian security policy interests, both bilateral and in international organisations such as Nato and the OSCE. Norwegian interests in the High North and the Arctic/Antarctic, and Norwegian resource policy interests.
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Department for Regional Affairs
The department is responsible for ensuring that Norwegian international development policy is designed to promote the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and is in keeping with the Norwegian Government’s priorities. It is also responsible for following up Norwegian interests in regions outside Europe and North America and for developing a more coherent Norwegian foreign policy in these regions.
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Department for Multilateral Affairs
The Department for Multilateral Affairs has the systemic responsibility for the UN, the IBRD and the Regional Development Banks as well as a number of UN and international organisations. This includes the implementation of Norway’s policies in the UN and the Development Banks through, among other things, participation in the Governing Boards. The Department also has the responsibility for the implementation of the Government’s policies in the fields of human rights, democracy and gender equality as well as humanitarian affairs.
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Department for Sustainable Development
The Department for Sustainable Development is responsible for a forward-looking development policy, multilateral development financing, the Ministry’s economic diplomacy work, promoting Norway’s energy interests, and work relating to climate change and the environment. The Department safeguards Norway’s interests in the WTO and the OECD, and works to promote fairer world trade. Economic analysis is an important part of the Department’s work.
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Legal Affairs Department
The Legal Affairs Department provides legal expertise for the Government and the central government administration, and has particular responsibility for coordinating Norway’s positions on matters of international law in international forums.
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Department for Protocol, Cultural Relations and Consular Affairs
Department for Protocol, Cultural Relations and Consular Affairs is responsible for promoting Norwegian arts and culture abroad and for the development of cooperation projects in this field. The Department also provides guidance on matters of protocol for the whole government, and is responsible for state and official visits, as well as relations with foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Norway.
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Department for Human Resources and Organisational Management
The Department works to ensure the sound, effective management, operation, development and digitalisation of the Foreign Service.