UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and the Government of Norway have signed a new cooperation agreement worth NOK 530 million, or roughly USD 56.9 million, reinforcing Norway’s longstanding partnership with UNESCO and supporting the Organisation’s work in education, sciences, culture, communication and information.
Administered by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), this new Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) for the period 2026-2029 covers three priorities: Education (NOK 330 million or roughly USD 35.5 million), Culture (NOK 120 million or roughly USD 12.9 million) and Communication and Information (NOK 80 million or roughly USD 8.6 million).
“This partnership is a testament to Norway’s vision for a stronger, more agile UNESCO”, Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General said. “Through its flexible and predictable nature, this funding arrangement will enhance UNESCO’s ability to respond to emerging challenges and leverage its normative capacity to advance our shared priorities in education, culture and freedom of expression.”
Lifelong worldwide learning
On education, the agreement will strengthen inclusive, equitable quality education and lifelong learning worldwide — supporting Member States to improve education governance, address teacher shortages, and expand learning opportunities for vulnerable groups, including learners with disabilities, in support of SDG 4.
As regards culture, the partnership will help protect and promote culture in all its forms, building the capacities of Member States and communities to safeguard tangible, intangible and natural heritage, and to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including conflicts, affecting cultural sites.
Freedom of expression
The new funding will also advance freedom of expression and access to information, strengthening the safety of journalists — particularly women journalists — and supporting information integrity through a human rights-based approach to digital platform governance.
The agreement was signed during the Director-General’s recent visit to Norway, which included meetings with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and with the Ministers of Education and Research and of International Development.
The agreement continues Norway’s strong commitment to flexible funding, allowing UNESCO to respond dynamically to emerging needs while advancing quality education and freedom of expression globally.