Position Papers by Country

Position paper for Norway

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours
Paper text:
Norway upholds that outer space must remain open for peaceful, scientific, and cooperative exploration by all states and relevant non-state actors. The legal foundation for this principle lies in the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit and establishes space as the province of all humankind. Norway further emphasizes that preventing an arms race in outer space (PAROS) is essential to maintaining international peace and security. Norway is a State Party to the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space and the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. These instruments demonstrate Norway’s long-standing support for transparency, accountability, and the sustainable use of the outer-space environment. Today, Norway views threat reduction as a central goal in space security. This includes mitigating risks posed by both military and civilian systems, avoiding actions that may be perceived as hostile, and reducing debris-creating tests or unnotified manoeuvres. Norway advocates for practical measures that build trust, promote transparency, and prevent an arms race. In this regard, Norway supports a merged approach that combines legal and behavioural dimensions, with a clear emphasis on a behaviour-based framework. This position is reflected in Norway’s active participation in the Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats through Norms, Rules, and Principles of Responsible Behaviours (OEWG). Norway further underlines the importance of involving non-governmental and commercial actors, recognising their growing presence in space activities. Responsible behaviour should extend to all actors whose activities affect the security and sustainability of outer space. In conclusion, Norway calls upon the international community to develop and implement practical behavioural guidelines for both governmental and non-governmental actors. Such measures will reduce instability, foster mutual confidence, and promote the long-term peace and security of outer space.

Committee:	GA First
Topic:	The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
Paper text:
Norway have been working hard to stop the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons. In 1997, we helped establish the Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers in partnership with researchers and organizations to research and prevent armed violence. In 2001, we supported the UN’s global plan called the Programme of Action, which focuses on marking and tracking weapons so they can’t be easily sold illegally. Norway domestically passed strict laws regarding Firearms to control who can own and import firearms. We also tightened our export rules to make sure Norwegian weapons don’t end up in the wrong hands. Today, we’re strongly supporting the Arms Trade Treaty, which is a global agreement that helps with preventing the illegal trade of weapons. We aren’t only a part of this treaty, we encourage other nations to join it too, while helping other countries build better systems to control weapon exports and share best practices in how to prevent illegal trading. Norway also focuses on how illegal weapons affect women, since small arms often lead to gender- based violence. And today we keep calling for countries and organizations to work more closely together across borders to track and stop illegal weapons in the UN. Norway wants to make sure that all international rules about small arms and light weapons work better together. We’ll keep pushing for others to join and follow the same standards under the UN’s main agreements. We plan to support new digital tools that can mark and trace weapons faster and help countries share information in real time. We want to help countries that don’t have strong systems yet by offering training and funding. Norway will keep focusing on connecting arms control to peace and development, so people all around the world can live in safer and more stable communities.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
Paper text:
Norway recognizes and supports the right to self-determination as a fundamental principle of international law, as well as state sovereignty as a key pillar of the United Nations system. While there has been great progress made in establishing self-governing systems and sovereignty of places that have once been under colonial rule, reducing the number of currently non-self-governing territories from 78 to 17, it is crucial that further action is made towards sovereignty of the remaining places. We strongly support efforts made by the United Nations to promote indepence for dependent territories. The emphasis needs to be put on peaceful dialogues and negotiations between administering powers and local populations, all within the framework of international law. Measures to go into mutual negotiations and striving for international cooperation need to be taken from both sides as we believe that unilateral actions are a safety hazard and might lead to instability and even conflict. The delegation of Norway argues that the United Nations should expand their peacekeeping missions and independent monitorings in territories where there are risks of violent conflicts breaking out during self-determination movements. We are convinced that such peacekeeping measurements can help to stabilize regions and ensure that neither self- determination movements escalate into violence nor that powerful administrative states prioritize their own strategic or economic interests over the rights of peoples in non-self- governing territories. There needs to be more commitment and political willpower of key international actors to pursue the human right of self-determination for all – no more vetos from members of the United Nations Security Council on resolutions supporting self- determination for specific territories. Especially this behavior hinders efforts of the entire United Nations from establishing more peaceful, sovereign places and pursuing an important human right.

Committee:	GA Third
Topic:	Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas
Paper text:
The improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas Empowering women and girls in rural areas is vital to fostering change on the global stage. Women in rural areas are at a significant disadvantage, despite being large contributors to the agricultural sector. In order to grow the representation of women in proportion to their presence, rural areas must not be forgotten. Norway has seen large improvements in the quality that women in rural areas are afforded through the implementation of a strategy called Equality in the Agriculture Sector. Protection through property rights and increased opportunities shows that improvements can be made on the global stage as well. Norway is committed to seeing this progress worldwide and is proud of the close partnership that has been created with UN Women. Change is necessary, and it is possible through reformations and empowerment.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Our ocean, our future, our responsibility
Paper text:
Norway cannot stress enough the importance of safeguarding the oceans by implementing safe sustainable practices that address growing pollution, including chemicals and plastics, fishing nets as well as the direct dumping of waste especially from developing countries that harm the fragile ecosystem. It is essential for the global climate, food security, nutrition and for the global economy that we address this as the world’s coral reefs see more bleaching and die offs which in turn affect the health of all our interconnected waterways. Efforts to pressure all UN countries into ratifying the BBNJ agreement should be front and center of this session. As should the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, also referred to as “the constitution of the oceans”. Norway’s extensive seafaring history has helped us gain vast knowledge of the oceans and extending this knowledge to all nations with a coastline is our highest priority. Efforts to effectively regulate plastic pollution and the implementation of sustainable, legal fishing practices will help address the geopolitical and economic concerns that stem from the threats to our oceans. For these efforts to come to fruition we need more commitments from high income countries to aid in funding underdeveloped countries to implement policies that will lead to sustainable practices. Leading the way in these endeavors, Norway understands they will pay dividends for the generations to come. The ocean is not an endless sink in which we may dispose of our waste without consequences. Norway would like to create a fund with other countries to aid in the sustainable use of our oceans by developing countries.

Committee:	GA Plenary
Topic:	Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations
Paper text:
Norway has shown strong support of UN humanitarian coordination and reform. In its 2021 statement to the UN Economic and Social Council, Norway emphasized that the UN needs to enhance its collaboration across the humanitarian, development, and peace- building engagement in fragile states. Norway has also contributed to the UN’s Strategic Partnership Agreements and emergency funds, highlighting its commitment to flexible, rapid funding and support for UN-led mechanisms. Norway states that humanitarian assistance must be predictable and flexible to be able to act where the needs are greatest. Norway has condemned attacks on humanitarian workers, insisting that under international humanitarian law the delivery of assistance must be protected and their safety guaranteed. In 2025, Norway is one of the top contributors in humanitarian aid to 13 different crises around the world. Most of this support is channeled through UN coordination mechanisms, such as country-based pooled funds, to ensure that assistance reaches their target effectively. Norway wants to further develop UN-led coordination mechanisms to ensure flexible and rapid funding for both natural disasters and long-term crises. It plans to use its diplomatic influence to make sure that the UN and its partners can deliver aid without hindrance. First, Norway wants to increase flexible and predictable funding so humanitarian actors can respond swiftly to emerging needs. Second, it will continue to call for better coordination between humanitarian, development, and peace efforts to create long-term, sustainable solutions for affected populations. Third, Norway will advocate for stronger protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, reaffirming that all parties must respect international humanitarian law and allow unimpeded humanitarian access. Additionally, Norway supports locally led responses and integrating climate adaptation and disaster preparedness into humanitarian planning.

Committee:	IAEA
Topic:	Nuclear security
Paper text:
The unethical use and illegal selling of nuclear and radioactive components has become a threat to world wide peace and stability. The Kingdom of Norway believes that globalization, technological growth and regional tensions maximize these risks. The IAEA stands as the central hub holding the decision making power regarding international nuclear security, member states and ensuring compliance with global standards. Norway extends high favor to the amendment to the convention on the physical protection of nuclear components and the convention for the suppression of the acts of nuclear violence. We want to ensure minimum possible civilian stock holding of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and converting facilities to lower end alternatives. Norway has erased cesium based blood irradiators and successfully launched a national nuclear action plan (2018-2022) to halt accidents and illegal use. With our partnership with Ukraine and other Asian partners, we help to improve physical protection, border security and regulatory legislation. Norway underscores the important of IAEA’s technical assistance and partnership to achieve this global framework. Norway advises the IAEA and the Member States to: 1. Increase technical and financial support to countries developing nuclear regulatory infrastructure. 2. Enhance cyber-security at nuclear facilities to meet new digital threats. 3. Enhance and improve the Illicit Trafficking Database, while also improving the sharing of information concerning nuclear materials. 4. Encourage conversion from HEU to low-enriched uranium, while ensuring the safe decommissioning of nuclear facilities that are no longer in use. 5. Support transparency and early notification systems for potential transboundary nuclear safety incidents. Norway reaffirms its commitment to international collaboration and urges all Member States to fully implement existing conventions and increase voluntary contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund.

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