New York, UNITED NATIONS – The Government of Norway committed 55 million kroner ($5.5 million) yesterday to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership for 2025, a contribution that will expand access to essential contraceptives, maternal health supplies and health system strengthening efforts in 54 countries.
Norway’s leadership comes at an unprecedented time when cuts to international development aid have created significant funding gaps, putting millions of women's access to reproductive health services at risk. Countries affected by severe resource constraints are in urgent need of continued support to prevent stockouts and protect reproductive rights.
“UNFPA is grateful to the Government of Norway for its unwavering commitment to stand up for women and girls and their sexual and reproductive health and rights at this critical moment," said Ms. Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA. "Norway’s long-standing support for UNFPA has improved the lives of millions of people around the world. This new generous investment by Norway will help ensure continued access to life-saving contraceptives and maternal health medicines, bringing dignity, choice and opportunity to those who need it most. It also demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships and sustainable finance solutions to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls."
This investment will leverage the proven capabilities of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, the leading global mechanism supporting country-led reproductive health financing and programme delivery. As the world's largest public-sector procurer of contraceptives, the Partnership has an extraordinary track record of results: In 2024 alone, it enabled 25 million women to access essential reproductive health services and make free, informed decisions about their bodies and futures while preventing 10 million unintended pregnancies and averting over 200,000 maternal and newborn deaths.
The new funding from Norway will help avert an estimated 378,000 unintended pregnancies, more than 1,000 maternal deaths and more than 6,000 child deaths.
"The sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls are under pressure in many parts of the world. Norway stands firm in its commitment to protecting these rights and ensuring access to vital health services. That is why we are now providing an additional 55 million kroner to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership,” said the Minister of International Development of Norway Mr. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust. “We know that access to contraception saves lives, prevents unwanted pregnancies, and gives women and girls the opportunity to decide over their own bodies and futures. This is a prerequisite for sustainable development.”
Norway’s new investment will have a powerful multiplier effect – fuelling innovative cost-sharing models that drive lasting, sustainable change. Through mechanisms like the Match Fund, which provides $2 for every $1 countries invest, Norway's support helps countries move beyond aid dependency toward sustainable ownership of their reproductive health priorities. Such efforts have already contributed to a significant transformation: Domestic spending on contraceptives has increased fivefold, from $10 million in 2020 to an estimated $52 million in 2024, with 44 nations voluntarily investing their own resources.
Announced during the UN General Assembly, Norway's commitment demonstrates how strategic investments in reproductive health advance sustainable development and gender equality, delivering significant returns in lives saved and communities strengthened.
*Updated on 29 September 2025 to amend the total donation from $4.9M to $5.5M. Updated on 30 September 2025 to add a quote from Norway's Minister of Development and to revise the estimated impact of this contribution.
