STATEMENT
International Organisation for Migration
37th Session of the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance
27-28 October 2025
Item 2 - Presentation by the Director General
Statement of Norway delivered by Mr Svenn Wroldsen
Check against delivery
27.10.2026
Chair,
Norway would like to begin by expressing our appreciation to the IOM leadership for its management of the organization during what has been a particularly difficult year. We also recognize the commitment of IOM staff, who have continued to deliver key services in challenging conditions, while themselves facing uncertainty about their jobs. We confirm Norway’s commitment as a longstanding partner to IOM, including through our provision of unearmarked support to the organization.
We thank the Director General for her report. Norway notes with appreciation the completion of the Internal Governance Framework Workplan. We would welcome your further elaboration on how you plan to continue implementation and follow-up of the IGF reforms beyond 2025, especially in light of the current financial outlook.
We also appreciate steps taken to strengthen IOMs commitment to risk management. Robust internal governance, including internal oversight and accountable management structures, is key to maintain member states’ trust, particularly as the organization continues to operate in contexts with high operational and financial risk. We commend IOM for safeguarding these core structures through the recent realignment process. It is essential that these structures remain prioritized going forward. We therefore welcome IOM’s membership into the JIU, which will further strengthen these structures.
Chair, the current financial situation clearly underlines the need for swift and significant reform of the UN system and the humanitarian system. Norway strongly supports the Secretary General’s UN80 reform process, and the Humanitarian Reset, and commends IOM for its participation through the High Level Committee on Management, the UN80 humanitarian cluster and in the restructuring of the cluster system. Bold ideas are needed, and we expect IOM to continue to engage actively in both these processes.
The significant reduction in funding also underscores the need for IOM to broaden its revenue base. We commend the organization’s progress in engaging the private sector.
Finally, we note that a number of reports of this Standing Committee meeting were received less than two weeks prior to today’s session. This limits member states’ ability to sufficiently prepare. We would strongly encourage a more timely provision of all relevant documents for future meetings of the governance bodies.
I thank you.