Students and staff invited to share input on Norway’s new development white paper.
This May, Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, visited NMBU to discuss the future of Norwegian aid.
As Norway prepares a new white paper on development policy, the Minister urged the NMBU community to contribute their ideas and expertise.
Aukrust explained the constraints that the Ministry is working under, with increasing needs and shrinking budgets, alongside polarisation and a lack of trust in powerful states.
“If we give priority to everything, we end up giving priority to nothing”
Whilst Norway has broad ambitions for its aid, resources are limited and prioritisation is unavoidable. As Minister Aukrust put it: “If we give priority to everything, we end up giving priority to nothing”.
He stressed the need for Norway to concentrate its resources for the greatest impact. The greatest needs are often found in the poorest countries, while humanitarian crises and geopolitical priorities compete for the same funding. Efficiency and evidence must guide the country’s development policy, said the Minister.
Panelists, including new voices in aid politics as well as experienced academics from NMBU’s Department of International Environment and Development Studies, echoed this call. They emphasised the importance of long-term partnerships, clear principles, and investment in areas where Norway can make a real difference.
"Norway should concentrate its support on low-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa," said NMBU professor and food security expert Ruth Haug. "We should take a leading role both in supporting humanitarian actions, but also in exploring new ways of increasing such funding as needs are dramatically increasing while funds are declining. Norway must work for a global order that promotes equity and justice for everyone."
Director of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Gunn Jorid Roset, outlined the current state of Norwegian aid and the key dilemmas it faces.
Ukraine received 20% of total Norwegian aid in 2025
Ukraine is the largest recipient of Norwegian aid for the fourth year running. In 2025, the country received 20% of Norway’s total aid spend in the interests of European security, an increase on last year. Minister Aukrust explained how, here in Ås, we are closer to the border of Ukraine than we are to the north of Norway, and that all countries have a responsibility for what's happening in their own ‘back yard’.
Palestine was the second largest recipient in 2025.
Overall, international aid has declined by 28% since 2023. Humanitarian assistance is back to 2014 levels. Meanwhile, three times as many people now need help.
10% of global population in extreme poverty
According to the World Bank, 839 million people now live in extreme poverty, with the majority of these living in Sub-Saharan Africa. This means 10.3% of the global population survives on less than USD 3 per day.
Norwegian aid remains a significant force, with 58.9 billion NOK used on aid in 2025. This aid is spread across many sectors including energy, environment, education, health, agriculture, peace and security.
According to panelist and political influencer Snorre Rein, this is not enough. His suggestions included investing a portion of oil and gas revenues in development funds. Rein claimed that allocating just 1% of capital contributions to the sovereign wealth fund could have a major impact on global development with little harm to long-term savings.
Minister Aukrust closed the event by inviting the NMBU community, and all stakeholders, to help shape Norway’s future development policy. He also called for active engagement through open debate and social media.
Want to contribute?
Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Norad with your ideas and reflections for the new white paper. Join the debate! Norway’s development policy needs your voice.
Norwegian aid in numbers (Norad, 2025)
- People in extreme poverty (World Bank, 2024): 839 million
- Total Norwegian aid in 2025: 58.9 billion NOK
- Portion of total income spent on aid (GNI): World’s highest for 3rd year in a row
- Country-allocated aid: 43% (25 billion NOK)
- Largest recipient: Ukraine (20% of total aid)
- Second largest recipient: Palestine
- Humanitarian assistance decrease: 26% drop since 2023
Participants: Minister Åsmund Grøver Aukrust; Norad Director Gunn Jorid Roset; NMBU Rector Solve Sæbø; Young voices: Eilif Rønning (NMBU student: Master in International Environmental Studies), Maria Bakken (WWF), Thais Alfaro Sandoval (SAIH), Snorre Rein (political influencer); NMBU academics: Morten Jerven, Ibrahima Poudiougou, Ruth Haug and Jennifer Joy West (all from NMBU’s Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric).
Interested in studying these themes?
Take a look at the degrees offered at the Department of International Environment and Development Studies:
- Bachelor - International Environment and Development Studies
- Master - Economics and Environmental Governance
- Master - Global Development Studies
- Master - Global Economy and Politics
- Master - International Relations
- Master - International Environmental Studies