Unprecedented three-year deal between Norway and UNESCO: $45 million for education

2023-06-22 05:51:46

Paris, June 14, 2023 –

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Norwegian Ambassador to UNESCO Halvor Hvideberg signed the first three-year cooperation agreement between UNESCO and Norway on Tuesday. This country will contribute a voluntary contribution of 45 million dollars to finance education programs around the world.

“UNESCO is honored by this exceptional multi-year agreement, which reflects the quality of the partnership and the trust we share with Norway, as well as the relevance of the education programs carried out by our Organization,” said Audrey Azoulay. “There is no peace or sustainable development without education. Thanks to this funding from Norway, UNESCO will intensify its action around the world to ensure everyone’s right to quality lifelong learning.” “I highly appreciate UNESCO’s initiative and leadership in education. UNESCO’s normative role and its concrete programs on the ground make the Organization a valued partner for Norway,” said Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norway’s Minister for International Development. “Education is critical to achieving poverty reduction, gender equality and climate action. We are very happy to increase our support and to sign a long-term agreement with UNESCO. Together, let’s promote good quality education for all.”

Funding from Norway will support UNESCO’s education program from 2023 to 2025, and will significantly boost UNESCO’s initiatives in education for health and well-being, among other programmes. This agreement will also make it possible to expand the UNESCO Passport of Qualifications for Refugees and Vulnerable Migrants. Successfully tested in recent years, it helps to recognize the previous academic, professional and vocational qualifications of forcibly displaced people so that they can access learning opportunities abroad.

Norway’s continued support for UNESCO

Norway has long demonstrated its commitment to UNESCO’s work in the field of education. Through its development cooperation agency, NORAD, the country contributes to operational programs, mainly in the least developed countries and in emergency contexts.

Investments from Norway have also supported the UNESCO World Education Monitoring Report and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, which play a key role in monitoring global efforts to achieve education goals. They have also benefited work around comprehensive sexuality education, and have promoted the strengthening of school health systems and the prevention of violence and bullying in schools.

This new contribution from Norway is in addition to the contribution of 20 million dollars that the country made to UNESCO in 2022, to support actions in favor of culture, heritage and press freedom. This demonstrates the strong confidence of the Nordic countries in UNESCO and their permanent commitment to financing the Organization, being among the main voluntary contributors to its budget.