Gunn Jorid Roset appointed new Director General of Norad
News story | Date: 24/06/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Today Gunn Jorid Roset, 51, was formally appointed to the role of Director General of Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Ms Roset has 27 years of experience from the Foreign Service, where she is currently serving as Deputy Director General of the Department for Multilateral Affairs.
‘Ms Roset is highly qualified for the position, and her appointment will be of great benefit to Norad and Norwegian aid efforts in general. The obstacles facing Norwegian aid and development policy are more challenging than ever before. I am therefore pleased that Ms Roset has accepted this very important leadership role. She will bring invaluable expertise to the management and further development of the Norwegian aid sector,’ said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.
Ms Roset is currently Deputy Director General of the Department for Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The department is responsible for formulating Norwegian UN policy, Norwegian policy relating to the international development banks, and implementing Norwegian policy in the fields of human rights, democracy, equality and humanitarian assistance. Ms Roset has worked in the Foreign Service since 1998. She has had postings in Latvia and South Africa and most recently served as Ambassador to Malaysia. She has also held several management positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
‘The dramatic changes in the international donor landscape and level of assistance that have taken place in just a short period of time have made Norwegian aid even more important. During my 27 years in the Foreign Service I have worked with virtually all aspects of development policy. I hope to draw on this knowledge and experience to increase the effectiveness of Norwegian aid. The needs are enormous. Our focus must always be on making sure that every krone goes further and has greater impact. I am deeply committed to Norwegian international development cooperation and look forward to starting to work with my new colleagues at Norad,’ said Ms Roset.
The Director General of Norad is appointed for a fixed term of six years. Ms Roset will take up the position after the summer.
Press contact for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Helene Sandbu Ryeng, helene.sandbu.ryeng@mfa.no, +47 994 06 730
Press contact for Norad:
Synnøve Aasland, synnove.aasland@norad.no, +47 951 65 326