President, Acting Commissioner General,
First let me express our deep appreciation to UNRWA’s leadership and staff for their continued dedication to delivering services under extremely challenging conditions.
UNRWA has, for years, operated under unprecedented operational, political and financial pressures. Ensuring that UNRWA can continue to deliver on its mandate is our shared responsibility. We must prioritize predictable and sufficient financial support to UNRWA, thus enabling the Agency to focus on its critical work.
We commend the Agency for adjusting operations and introducing austerity measures and non-staff cost-savings, while still continuing to deliver services. Norway is clear that UNRWA will remain indispensable until a just and lasting political solution can be found.
President,
Norway is deeply alarmed by developments affecting UNRWA’s premises and operations, particularly in East Jerusalem.
We reiterate that UNRWA’s premises are inviolable. Any measures that hinder UNRWA’s ability to operate or undermine the privileges and immunities of the UN must be reversed. All parties must respect international law and relevant UN resolutions.
President,
Norway is deeply concerned about UNRWA’s financial situation. We welcome the Agency’s continued efforts to strengthen its strategic planning and resource mobilization. Efforts to diversify funding sources and broaden donor engagement are important.
Norway encourages continued engagement to advance discussions on more predictable, flexible and less earmarked funding, in order to support the Agency’s long-term sustainability and sustain the Agency’s core services, particularly as humanitarian needs are growing across the region.
President,
Norway has maintained support. Norway signed a new two-year agreement with UNRWA in January this year, providing core funding of NOK 175 million per year. In 2026, with the addition of NOK 100 million for humanitarian work – Norway has so far disbursed 275 million NOK to the Agency.
Let me conclude by saying UNRWA is so much more than a humanitarian agency. UNRWA is our joint commitment to securing the rights of Palestine refugees until a political solution is in place.
I thank you.