Oslo, Norway – Norway has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s and young people’s rights by pledging nearly 600 million Norwegian kroner (NOK) to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2024.
“Sexual and reproductive health and rights are under attack globally,” said Norway’s Minister of International Development, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim. “UNFPA is a vital partner in our fight for a world where women and young people can control their own lives.”
This core funding will empower UNFPA to address critical issues like the ongoing crises in Gaza and Sudan, where women and girls face immense challenges. It will also support UNFPA’s ongoing work to defend women’s rights where they are threatened and advocate for change.
“Norway’s longstanding support allows us to be agile and respond swiftly to emergencies,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “This generous contribution will help us save lives and create a world where everyone has the rights and choices they deserve.”
The announcement coincides with the eighth International Parliamentarians’ Conference in Oslo, bringing together legislators from across the globe to discuss sexual and reproductive health for women and young people, LGBTQ+ rights, and other critical issues.
Norway’s former Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, a key figure in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, also addressed the conference.
“I applaud the courageous politicians who fight for these rights,” said Tvinnereim, “and I hope this conference fosters collaboration and accelerates global progress.”