The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 1906 but underwent major changes in the period 1988-1990, when it was merged with the old version of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Development Co-operation respectively. The new 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 has 10 departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press, Cultural Relations and Information Department.

The Ministry is the only to be lead by two ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as 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 also manages the programme of the Norway 2005 Centenary Programme.