A new research centre, the Norwegian Centre for International Economics (NORCIE), has officially been launched in Oslo to strengthen Norway’s understanding of structural changes in the global economy. The initiative brings together leading researchers from major Norwegian institutions to examine how geopolitical tensions, climate change, and economic fragmentation are reshaping international systems.
NORCIE was established in March 2026 and is a collaboration between the Peace Research Institute Oslo, the University of Oslo, and the Christian Michelsen Institute. It aims to improve policy-relevant research that helps governments, businesses, and civil society respond to global economic disruption and long-term transformation.
The centre’s research agenda focuses on five key areas, including geopolitical rivalry, climate-related economic interdependencies, disruptions to global trade systems, international economic governance, and the effects of de-globalization and development shifts. By combining expertise from economics, political science, geography, and peace and conflict studies, the centre seeks to deliver interdisciplinary insights for decision-makers.
Researchers involved in NORCIE emphasize that rising geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts are fundamentally reshaping the global economic landscape. The centre is designed to help policymakers better understand these dynamics and anticipate risks in an increasingly uncertain international environment.
A key feature of NORCIE’s work will be the development of platforms for dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. These include regular “GeoEconomic Dialogues” intended to facilitate knowledge exchange on emerging global trends affecting trade, security, and economic policy.
The centre will also function as a national hub for international economics research, offering shared data resources, training programs, and workshops to strengthen analytical capacity. Its goal is to support evidence-based policymaking across areas such as foreign policy, climate strategy, and international trade.
Funded by the Research Council of Norway, NORCIE represents a coordinated effort to enhance the country’s ability to respond to rapid global economic changes. Officials say the initiative will play a critical role in helping Norway navigate an era defined by geopolitical competition, climate pressures, and shifting global economic structures.
