Norway adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2023 for the period 2023-2030. The NAP was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Equality, the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion, and the Ministry of Climate and Environment (p.6). The NAP also indicates that Norwegian and international civil society organizations, as well as Norwegian research institutes and other relevant experts, provided input and advice throughout the NAP’s development (p.6).
Norway’s NAP approaches the implementation of the WPS Agenda both domestically and internationally, and identifies three thematic priorities: peace process and implementation of peace agreements; security policy and operations; and humanitarian efforts, protection of civilians and protection of human rights (p.6). The NAP addresses conflict prevention by committing itself to an intersectional analysis of peace and security (p.6), as well as supporting civil society, women’s organizations and human rights defenders in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts (p.13). Notably, under issues relating to the thematic area ‘security policy and operations’, the NAP includes a section on ‘women and climate, peace and security’, where it commits to linking the women, peace and security and climate, peace and security agendas, and dealing with these as interconnected and cross-cutting issues (p.25). Unlike the previous NAP, this one does not include monitoring and evaluation outcomes and indicators. Rather, it outlines different levels of implementation, ministries and actors that are responsible for implementation, and a timeline for reviews (p.36). This includes annual reports on efforts, results and problems related to implementation of the NAP, as well as an interministerial review in 2027 (p.37). The NAP does not include an allocated budget, though indicates that the NAP “retains the approach of integrating the women, peace and security agenda into the whole breadth of peace and security work rather than creating budget items specifically for this area” (p.36).
Norway’s fifth NAP is preceded by four other NAPS, adopted in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2019, implemented for the periods 2006-2011; 2011-2015; 2015-2018 and 2019-2022, respectively. In Norway’s third NAP, priority countries were introduced and then expanded on in the fourth NAP to include Afghanistan, Colombia, Myanmar, Palestine, South Sudan and Nigeria. In the fifth NAP, this list has grown substantially, and Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Mozambique, the Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen, have all been added as priority countries (p.36). However, the NAP notes that the list will be “dynamic and can be adjusted as conditions change” (p.36). As a divergence from all previous NAPs, Norway’s fifth NAP has a section devoted specifically to women and climate, peace and security, where it commits to linking the women, peace and security and climate, peace and security agendas, and dealing with these as interconnected and cross-cutting issues (p.25).
Additionally, Norway’s fifth NAP includes an emphasis on the need for the meaningful participation of women, addressing conflict-related sexual violence, the gendered impact of the climate crisis and gender sensitive responses to emergency planning and response systems. The NAP also states that Norway supports civil society both as a partner and an actor for change, noting the need to: include civil society in peace processes (p.10), bridge the gap between civil society and parties to negotiations (p.13), promote the participation of women human rights defenders and representatives of civil society at the Security Council (p.33), and exchange information and collaborate with civil society to implement the NAP (p.36). Norway’s NAP also states the importance of integrating a gender perspective into work on arms control and humanitarian disarmament (p.28), though does not expand on how and in what context, nor does it mention Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).
Norway is a major contributor to humanitarian aid, including being a contributing donor to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, a global partnership that works to empower women in conflict zones and humanitarian crises. Norway is also a partner of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to mitigate and provide accountability for gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies. In 2022, Norway was UN Women’s fourth-largest contributor, with $29.86million.
Norway does not have a history of recent armed conflict, but is involved in international peacekeeping and overseas military operations. Standard policy in Norway is that the export of arms to states engaged in war is banned. However, as of January 1 2024, the Norwegian government has permitted direct sales of weapons and defense-related products to Ukraine. Additionally, the Norwegian government owns 64% of weapons manufacturer, Nammo.