STATEMENT
UNHCR Standing Committee: 91st Session, 12-13 September 2024
Agenda Item 3a, - Management, financial control, administrative oversight and human resources.
Statement by Norway delivered by Svenn Wroldsen, First Secretary, the Permanent Mission of Norway
Check against delivery
13 September 2024
Thank you Chair,
We thank you for the comprehensive report(s).
UNHCR’s mandate, complexity and financing model requires UNHCR to uphold and comply with the highest standards of management and accountability. Prevention of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse and other forms of misconduct is essential.
With regard to risk management, we are glad to make note of OIOS assurance of UNHCR’s steady progress in bringing its risk maturity to an advanced level, and for UNHCR confirmation that these efforts will continue in 2025.
We are also pleased to learn of the new strategy and measures taken by UNHCR in further strengthen the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in all its operations. It is important that this also complies to UNHCR partners. We underline the importance of transparency and professionality by prioritizing solid monitoring mechanisms together with preventive measures and trustworthy mechanisms to address these situations when they occur.
We further take note of IAOC’s concern of the delays in implementation of internal oversight recommendations by UNHCR. Also noting that recommendations related to field operations often were recurring. We underline the importance for UNHCR of addressing these issues and enhance monitoring and management systems to comply with rules and regulations.
Finally, solid and measured control and oversight functions fit for purpose are key for ensuring impact. Norway encourages further strengthening of the integrity and accountability functions and will continue to support UNHCR’s efforts to streamline and strengthen this. We would appreciate the assurance that sufficient resources are allocated to control, integrity, and accountability functions in the 2025 budget, against UNHCRs complex operations and risk environment.
Thank you.