Q3 Progress Report: Implementing the Colonna Report at UNRWA (July 2025 – September 2025)

20 October 2025

Quarterly Implementation Progress Overview

This Quarterly Colonna Progress Report provides a summary of major milestones and developments during the third quarter of 2025 in the Agency’s implementation of the 50 recommendations of the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality. It also provides an updated overview of progress across thematic categories and funding requirements.

Following the completion of the first year of implementation in June 2025, UNRWA has maintained steady momentum in translating the Colonna Report’s recommendations into institutional reform.2 As of the end of Q3 2025, 21 out of 50 recommendations have been completed, with formal acknowledgement of completion pending by the Advisory Commission (AdCom). The newly completed recommendation since Q2 pertains to strengthened oversight functions and enhanced governance mechanisms within the Agency (Recommendation 2).

Each completed recommendation undergoes a formal review and endorsement process through both the internal Neutrality Task Force and the AdCom Sub-Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity. The sustainability of completed recommendations is ensured through continuous monitoring, integration into policy and operational systems, and follow-up reviews. Progress remains a standing item for regular reporting to Member States through the Working Group, the full AdCom, and the biannual Integrity Briefings.

During Q3 2025, the Agency advanced important structural and procedural milestones. The Advisory Commission formally convened the Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity under Recommendation 2, marking a key step toward embedding neutrality oversight within an intergovernmental framework. The Working Group now serves as the main platform for structured dialogue, policy exchange, and oversight of implementation progress. Progress reporting will continue on a quarterly basis through meetings of the Working Group, covering both newly closed and ongoing recommendations.

Implementation of the remaining 29 recommendations continues on schedule, with targeted sequencing across all eight thematic categories: Engagement with Donors; Governance; Management and Internal Oversight; Neutrality of Staff; Neutrality of Installations; Education; Unions; and Cooperation with other UN Agencies. Based on current projections, an additional 10 recommendations are expected to reach completion by the end of 2025, with a total of 43 recommendations anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026. Adjustments to completion timelines will be communicated in subsequent reporting, reflecting operational developments, interdependencies, and resource availability

Looking Ahead:

UNRWA remains firmly committed to implementing the 50 recommendations of the Colonna Report.

UNRWA expresses its gratitude to Member States and partners, including Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Austria, for their continued contributions to neutrality and integrity reforms.

Sustained donor support remains critical to maintaining momentum. While several recommendations have been implemented within existing resources, others, particularly those related to education reform, oversight, and digitalization, require additional and predictable funding for long-term institutionalization.

During Q4 2025, UNRWA will focus on achieving all recommendations scheduled for completion within the year while preparing the groundwork for the next implementation phase. The Agency will continue aligning Colonna implementation with the UNRWA Strategic Assessment, ensuring that neutrality, accountability, and governance reform are embedded into its future vision and operational model.

Despite ongoing operational challenges across all fields, UNRWA will continue to manage risks proactively, uphold transparency with Member States, and sustain engagement through regular reporting and the AdCom Working Group on Neutrality and Integrity