UNHCR Standing Committee 97
Agenda item 2 c
Statement delivered by Mr. Svenn Wroldsen,
First Secretary, the permanent Mission of Norway.
8 Sptember 2026
Check against delivery
Thank you, Chair.
Norway welcomes this update on UNHCR’s efforts to strengthen integrity across the organization. At a time of significant financial constraints, organizational change and heightened operational risks, robust systems for accountability, ethics, risk management and staff support are essential to maintaining trust, safeguarding resources and ensuring effective delivery of UNHCR’s mandate.
Norway recognizes the progress UNHCR has made in preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and appreciates its leadership in system-wide PSEAH efforts.
As UNHCR enters a new phase under new leadership, Norway encourages the organization to keep PSEAH firmly anchored across all levels. Sustained senior-level attention, clear ownership and accountability will be essential. As underlined in the JIU review, this is not only a compliance issue, but also a matter of organizational culture, ethical leadership and sound risk management.
We encourage UNHCR to maintain strong capacity for prevention, investigations and survivor-centered response, particularly at country level and in high-risk humanitarian contexts. In a period of financial pressure, these functions must be safeguarded, and integrity must remain at the core of the organization’s work.
We welcome UNHCR’s engagement with the recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit and look forward to their effective implementation. We also encourage continued inter-agency cooperation, including on complaints and feedback mechanisms and capacity-building with implementing partners.
Finally, Norway values UNHCR’s broader efforts to strengthen integrity. Strong ethics, accountability and a healthy speak-up culture are essential for protecting affected populations and maintaining trust. We encourage continued efforts to ensure that staff feel safe to raise concerns and report misconduct.
Thank you.