The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Deputy Commissioner-General, Leni Stenseth, visited on Monday Oslo to hold the Agency’s first High-Level Consultation with Norway.

During her mission, the Deputy Commissioner-General and Norway’s State Secretary, Erling Rimestad, discussed new avenues of cooperation in support of Palestine refugees.

Stenseth noted: “UNRWA is struggling to continue delivering high-quality education, health and social services in a very challenging political, operational and financial context. As we move forward in the Agency's efforts to modernize operations and become more efficient, we need political will and collective efforts to ensure that UNRWA is adequately resourced to deliver on its mandate.”

She expressed hope that Norway will remain a strong ally of UNRWA and supporter of the human development of Palestine refugees.

State Secretary Erling Rimestad added: “I am deeply concerned about UNRWA’s financial situation. Ensuring that UNRWA has enough funding to provide education, food and health services is important for stability in the Middle East. Norway will continue to be a strong supporter of UNRWA, and we are in the process of transferring this year’s allocation. We will also continue efforts to mobilise funding from other donors.”

The meeting was followed by High-Level talks with Norwegian officials to exchange views on how to improve cooperation. Discussions focused on the Agency’s current situation and its vision for the future ahead of its 75th commemoration and the importance of multi-annual flexible funding.

Stenseth also presented the Agency’s Strategic Plan (2023-2028) and shared some of its key reforms and modernisation initiatives, including on digitalization, oversight measures and sustainable funding reforms.

On 15 February, the Deputy Commissioner-General will take part in a discussion on UNRWA’s political and financial challenges co-hosted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the Chr. Michelsens Institute (CMI).

The new UNRWA Strategic Plan provides the principles and priorities that will guide the Agency’s work between 2023-2028, as part of a drive to modernize operations and management practices and broaden opportunities for Palestine refugees.

Last January, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini visited Oslo to hold meetings with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, and other key Norwegian interlocutors with a view to further deepen the strategic partnership with Norway.