Åsmund Grøver Aukrust | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Aukrust in 2025 | |
| Minister of International Development | |
| Assumed office 4 February 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre |
| Preceded by | Anne Beathe Tvinnereim |
| Member of the Storting | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2013 | |
| Deputy | Tobias Hangaard Linge |
| Constituency | Akershus |
| Deputy Leader of theWorkers' Youth League | |
| In office 17 October 2010 – 19 October 2014 | |
| Leader | Eskil Pedersen |
| Preceded by | Eskil Pedersen |
| Succeeded by | Emilie Bersaas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1985-02-28)28 February 1985 (age 40) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | University of Oslo |
Åsmund Grøver Aukrust (born 28 February 1985) is aNorwegianpolitician for theLabour Party. He has been serving as the minister of international development since 2025 and a member of theStorting fromAkershus since 2013. He previously served as the deputy leader of theWorkers' Youth League (AUF) from 2010 to 2014 and a deputy member of the Storting from 2009 to 2013.[1]
Aukrust was born inBærum. He studied at theUniversity of Oslo receiving abachelor's degree insociology. He currently resides in Oslo.[2]
He was elected to theAkershuscounty council in 2005.
He served as deputy leader of the Workers' Youth League from 2010 to 2014.[3] He originally ran for the leadership, but narrowly lost the vote toEskil Pedersen in a closely contested race,[4] although the election committee overwhelmingly favored him.[5]
He was present atUtøya during the2011 Norway attacks and was notably tasked with getting an overview of survivors from theWorkers' Youth League gathered at the Sundvolden Hotel.[6]
On 25 April 2011, he was elected vice president of theInternational Union of Socialist Youth.[7] He was appointed as political advisor to the Minister of CultureAnniken Huitfeldt in November 2011.[8]
Aukrust was elected as a deputy member of theStorting in 2009, holding the position until 2013. He has also been active in campaigning against Norwegian membership in theEuropean Union through the organizationNo to the EU. At the official unveiling ceremony of the new cabinet after the 2009 elections, Aukrust caused a stir when he suddenly appeared among the ministers.[9] Aukrust explained that he was merely trying to hand out flowers to the cabinet member who was opposed to EU membership.[10]
Ahead of the2013 election the Labour Party announced that Aukrust was nominated for the fourth seat inAkershus county. Analysts considered the seat to be safe for the Labour Party.[11] He was subsequently elected to the seat. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2021.
On 23 March 2022, he andLene Vågslid were appointed new deputy parliamentary leaders in the aftermath ofTerje Aasland's appointment to the government.[12] When he and Vågsild were appointed to government in February 2025, the party choseIngvild Kjerkol andTuva Moflag as their successors.[13]
He nominated theUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for theNobel prize in 2024.[14]
Following theCentre Party's withdrawal from government, he was appointed minister of international development on 4 February 2025.[15]
A few weeks after taking office, Aukrust announced that the government would be increasing their spending on humanitarian aid by supporting a further six humanitarian aid organisations with 1.9 billion NOK. He argued that humanitarian aid was becoming more important and highlighted the importance of saving lives, alleviate suffering and safeguarding human dignity and rights.[16]
Aukrust announced in May that the government would be selecting formerSocialist Left Party politicianBård Vegar Solhjell as their candidate for the leadership of theUNDP. Aukrust described Solhjell as "a perfect candidate" and campaigned for his candidacy when meeting with several ambassadors from African countries. He also cited Solhjell's background inNORAD as an opportunity for him to make reforms at theUN.[17]
In late May, he criticised theProgress Party for their lack of response onIsrael's blockade of humanitarian aid intoGaza. He also warned that Norway could end up with "one of the most Israel-friendly governments in Europe" should the Progress Party end up in government following the2025 election. Party memberErlend Wiborg argued that the Labour government had ruined their negotiating position by recognisingPalestine.[18]
Aukrust made a visit toBrazil andChile in July and notably met with Brazilian finance ministerFernando Haddad. Aukrust emphasised their countries' shared interest in securing multilateralism and institutions, but also expressed an overall concern for an increase of "lack of respect" for international cooperation and multilateral institutions. Furthermore, he argued that this would weaken the global response to global crisis, such as climate, international aid and wars.[19]
Despite revelations of corruption in the Ukrainian government, Aukrust expressed in November that it was still important to continue supporting the country with humanitarian aid and also acknowledged the country's struggle with corruption. He further added that it wad important for Norway to support Ukraine through well-established organisations such as the World Bank, UN organisations and the Red Cross.[20]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Deputy Leader of theWorkers' Youth League 2010–2014 | Succeeded by Emilie Bersaas |
| Preceded by | DeputyParliamentary leader of theLabour Party 2022–2025 Served alongside:Lene Vågslid | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of International Development 2025–present | Incumbent |