2025 Norad Conference: We need to talk about money

Click to watch the recordings of all the presentations from the Norad Conference 2025.

The world is at a crossroads 

With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), time is of the essence. Climate and natural disasters, war, conflict and geopolitical instability present major challenges. There is a great need for funding to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and current levels of funding are far from sufficient.  

In what has been called a crucial year for the financing of development, with the Finance for Development Conference in Seville and the Climate Summit in Belem, we are putting the spotlight on money at this year’s Norad Conference. 

Click to see the programme for the Norad Conference 2025  

Money Talks 

The money is there, but it takes significant effort to allocate the funds correctly. The aim of the conference is to discuss how this can best be achieved, foster collaboration and identify a new course towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

The Norad Conference is Norway’s largest venue for all stakeholders with an interest in international challenges and global development. We will bring together business, civil society, researchers and authorities from Norway and around the world. There will be talks and debates and key reports will be launched. 

Some of the people you will meet at the conference include:  

• Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Georgieva has held a number of international positions, including with the World Bank, and has a background in socio-economics and politics from Bulgaria. She will be participating in the conference digitally. 

• Gabriel Zucman is a Professor of Economics at the Paris School of Economics and the founder of the EU Tax Observatory. He is known for his research into tax systems and the taxation of the world’s richest people. 

• Mohammed Nasheed, Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum V20, an international partnership between 70 countries particularly vulnerable to climate change. Nasheed was the first democratically elected president of the Maldives (2008-2012). He is a driving force for human rights and democracy in Islamic countries and an international icon in the fight against climate change. He became world famous when he held a government meeting underwater to highlight the serious risk faced by the Maldives. 

• Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. In 2009, Clark became the first female leader of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for sustainable development, gender equality and global health. She currently chairs several international boards and is involved with pandemic preparedness and other global challenges. 

• Marie Nielsen, Partner in Antler Africa. The company supports startups in Africa by providing funding, guidance and networking opportunities. Nielsen is also known for being the founder of Penda Paper, a paper recycling company in Ethiopia. 

• Rafael Dubeux is the Brazilian Deputy Finance Minister. The country has made major progress in the conservation of rainforests and sustainable development in recent years. Brazil will also host this year’s Climate Summit in Belem in November, where climate financing will be a central focus. 

• Tove Bjørgaas, US correspondent for NRK  

• Tellef Thorleifsson, CEO of Norfund, the Norwegian Government’s Investment Fund for Developing Countries  

• Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development 

• Bård Vegar Solhjell, Director General of Norad 

Click to download images from the conference