New strategy for cooperation with the World Bank

News story | Date: 20/03/2026 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Norwegian Government's new strategy for 2026-2030 aims to strengthen the cooperation with the World Bank and support the poorest countries in an increasingly polarized and divided world

On Friday 20 March 2026, Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, launched the Government's new strategy for Norway's cooperation with the World Bank.

The strategy is presented at a time characterised by growing development needs, pressure on aid budgets, and a more fragmented aid landscape. The Government aims to strengthen the World Bank's role as a global development and climate actor, whilst championing Norwegian values and priorities in the Bank's work.

• Strategy for Norway's cooperation with the World Bank 2026-2030

The Minister highlighted three main priorities. He emphasised the need for stronger multilateral cooperation at a time when international cooperation is more fragmented. He noted that the World Bank is Norway's largest channel for combating poverty and particularly highlighted the importance of core funding for IDA, the World Bank's fund for the poorest countries, as a highly effective channel for achieving results.

Aukrust confirmed Norway's support to the Bank's vision and mission, emphasizing Norwegian priorities. He referred in particular to gender equality, climate and nature, renewable energy, food security. He noted strong support to the Bank's jobs agenda, emphasising decent jobs.

Finally, he emphasised the need to support the World Bank's work where the needs are greatest. He noted that poverty is increasingly concentrated in vulnerable and conflict-affected countries and said Norway will continue to support the Bank's work in places such as Ukraine and Palestine.

Development financing requires more than aid alone. Aukrust highlighted the need to make developing countries better equipped to care for their own populations. This means stronger domestic resource mobilisation, good governance, anti-corruption measures, responsible debt management, and increased mobilisation of private capital. The World Bank contributes to all these areas.