The main objectives of Norway's international cooperation are:
- to contribute towards controlling and reducing global environmental problems
- to safeguard Norwegian interests and reduce the scope of damage to the environment in Norway caused by activities and emissions in other countries
- to ensure sustainable development and improve the state of the environment in neighbouring and developing countries
Norway gives priority to environmental cooperation on:
- biodiversity
- hazardous chemicals
- climate change
- marine issues
Norway will continue its efforts to promote international cooperation on environmental issues. We aim to reach ambitious and legally binding agreements. Global and regional organisations must be developed into effective tools for sustainable development. The international framework on trade must also reflect this. It is equally important that environmental considerations are integrated into Norwegian development cooperation.
How does Norway participate?
Norway participates in a broad range of international fora and organisations.
- In our neighbouring countries the most important are the Arctic Council, the Barents cooperation and the bilateral cooperation with Russia.
- The European Union is Norway's most important partner in Europe. European environmental cooperation takes place through the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement and through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE).
- Norway also works globally through the UN, in particular the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), through the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and through bilateral and multilateral programmes with developing countries.