The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for preparing and implementing policy on foreign affairs, trade and shipping and development co-operation. It also serves other ministries in an important co-ordinating and advisory capacity, since it is the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is responsible for the planning, co-ordination and implementation of Norwegian foreign policy. Main areas of responsibility include Norwegian diplomatic connections with foreign nations, international organisations, foreign trade, cultural relations and developing countries.

The Ministry is the only to be lead by two ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development. Both ministers share the responsibility for the different departments, however the Minister of International Development has the main responsibility for development, administered through the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the presentation of Norwegian arts and culture abroad, including exchange projects with developing countries. Norwegian foreign service missions play a key role in establishing and administering cultural co-operation with Norway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also delegated responsibility for funding cultural projects abroad to other public institutions and professional organisations, including the Office for Contemporary Art (OCA), Norwegian Literature Abroad (NORLA), the Dance and Theatre Centre (DTS), the Norwegian Association of Arts and Crafts (NK), the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI), the Music Information Centre (MIC) and Rikskonsertene. The Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD) is also involved in international cultural projects and provides assistance for culture, media and information activities.