Introduction

Norway’s fifth National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security1 sets out the government’s policy for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, related resolutions and the broader women, peace and security (WPS) agenda nationally and internationally. These guidelines are a tool to help the Norwegian Foreign Service in translating policy into practice, and focus particularly on Norway’s international efforts.

The National Action Plan (NAP) focuses on three thematic priorities: peace processes and implementation of peace agreements; security policy and operations; and humanitarian efforts, protection of civilians and protection of human rights. In these guidelines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sets out ambitions and resources for implementing the action points in the NAP where the MFA is defined as a lead Ministry. The general action points for the MFA are to:

• integrate the women, peace and security agenda and a gender perspective into Norwegian peace and security efforts;
• support action to strengthen women’s participation and influence in international peace and security efforts;
• play a leading role in developing, integrating and implementing the women, peace and security agenda internationally;
• promote mutual learning by intensifying the exchange of experience and competence-building activities with other countries that have reached different stages in the development and implementation of WPS NAPs.

The entire Norwegian Foreign Service, in particular those sections and missions dealing with priority countries2, multilateral organisations and/or the three thematic priorities, have a responsibility to implement the women, peace and security agenda in accordance with the National Action Plan and these guidelines.

Norway’s international efforts on women, peace and security take many forms:

• We are involved in normative processes in multilateral forums, including negotiations on resolutions and other texts, and open and closed meetings, to influence concrete measures. The UN is the main body in this context, but NATO, the OSCE, the African Union and other regional organisations are becoming increasingly important. The normative work is put into effect through strong WPS mandates and continual efforts to create accountability within multilateral organisations.
• We pursue an active political dialogue with authorities in various countries and engage broadly with civil society. Norway emphasises accountability based on international obligations and states’ own commitments. Knowledge about national and local conditions is important. What commitments has a country taken on? What needs and priorities do women’s groups emphasise?
• We provide financial support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs administers funding for WPS-related efforts under a number of budget items, including those for international organisations and civil society. As a key donor to multilateral organisations, we use our leverage to advance the WPS agenda, and to support and hold UN agencies and missions accountable for fulfilling their WPS obligations.
• We support and provide funding for local, Norwegian and international civil society organisations working on peace and security. Funding may be provided directly from the Ministry, through Norad or locally through our missions. We maintain active relationships with civil society actors to understand their priorities and needs, and to support platforms for advocacy and influence.
• We support and use research to ensure an evidence-based approach to implementation of the resolutions, and the realisation of the objectives on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Women’s participation in political processes and in peace and security efforts are closely related topics and interdependent. Norway’s international efforts to support women’s political participation are described more fully in the Action Plan for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Foreign and Development Policy for 2023–2030.3