STATEMENT
International Organisation for Migration,
116th Council Session8-10 December 2025
General Debate.
Statement by Norway delivered by Dr. Stian Nordengen Christensen,
Special Envoy for Migration
Check against delivery
09 December 2025
Thank you, Chair,
Let me begin by expressing Norway’s continued appreciation of IOM and its leadership for steering the organization though a particularly difficult year. We recognize the commitment of IOM staff, who have continued to deliver key services in challenging conditions, while themselves facing uncertainty about their future. We confirm Norway’s commitment as a longstanding partner to IOM, including through our provision of unearmarked support to the organization.
We also thank the Director-General for her report. For Norway, it is of the utmost importance that IOM continues to strengthen internal governance, audit systems, and risk management. Robust internal governance, including internal oversight and accountable management structures, is key to maintain member states’ trust and financing. This is particularly the case when operations are carried out in situations of high operational and financial risk.
In the same spirit, we also welcome IOM’s membership into the Joint Inspection Unit, which will further strengthen these structures.
Chair,
The current financial situation clearly underscores the need for ambitious reform of the UN system and the humanitarian system. Norway strongly supports the Secretary General’s UN80 reform process, and the Humanitarian Reset. We recognize with appreciation IOM’s participation through the High-Level Committee on Management, the UN80 humanitarian cluster and in the restructuring of the cluster system.
Norway is also a long-standing proponent for provision of support to internally displaced persons and affected states. We commend IOM for its chairmanship of the Global Solutions Hub. Continued and strong IOM engagement will be required also in the coming years, in cooperation with the “champions group” including UNDP, UNHCR and other stakeholders.
Finally, chair, the significant reduction in funding also underscores the need for IOM to broaden its revenue base. We encourage the organization’s progress to continue its engagement with the private sector.
I thank you.