UNHCR Standing Committee - EU Statement - Agenda Item 2 (c): integrity

UNHCR 91st STANDING COMMITTEE
7-8 September 2026
Agenda Item 2 (c): integrity
EU statement
Thank you, Chair.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union as a donor.
The European Union recognises UNHCR's continued efforts to strengthen integrity across the organisation, including in the areas of protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as anti-fraud. Embedding integrity throughout operations, management and, above all, organisational culture is essential to maintaining the trust of affected populations, partners, staff and donors.
At the same time, we are concerned that current financial pressures may undermine progress in this critical area. At a time when humanitarian needs are at record levels and severe funding constraints are forcing difficult choices, integrity must not become a secondary consideration.
In this regard, we encourage UNHCR to preserve and further strengthen its integrity frameworks, including but not limited to PSEAH prevention, anti-fraud efforts and investigative capacity.
On PSEAH, we recognise UNHCR's strong sector-wide commitment, including its pioneering role in joining the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and its broader efforts to strengthen system-wide action. The important 2025 Joint Inspection Unit review on SEA also recognises these strengths. At the same time, the review underlines that further progress is needed and that important implementation gaps persist. We therefore ask UNHRC to fully implement the recommendations and prioritise sufficient resources for SEAH prevention and response, particularly at country level, ensuring a victim- and survivor-centred approach.
On broader integrity issues, UN80 and the humanitarian reset offer a unique opportunity to further strengthen inter-agency efforts. We invite UNHCR to consider implementing more joint, accessible and trusted complaints and feedback mechanisms, so that affected people can safely report concerns and seek support through coherent and user-centred channels. In times of funding constraint, greater coordination and pooled approaches can also help preserve essential safeguards, avoid fragmentation and contribute to addressing underreporting by beneficiaries of assistance.
We also wish to raise the issue of underreporting by UNHCR's own staff. This is a concern in any organisation, but it may become even more acute in the current context, when many staff may fear for their positions and therefore feel less able to report misconduct, particularly where
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it involves superiors. We would welcome hearing how UNHCR intends to address this risk and ensure that staff can report concerns safely, confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
The European Union remains committed to supporting UNHCR in strengthening an organisational culture rooted in integrity, accountability and trust. Protecting that culture, especially in times of financial pressure, is essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the organisation. We also welcome the new Inspector General Stephan Ulrich Grieb and wish him wish him all the best in this office. Thank you.