Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on the behalf of the Group of 77 and China on this agenda item in particular Construction of a new facility for the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha branch.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Mr. Andrew Nye, Officer-in-Charge of the Facilities and Commercial Service Division of the Office of Central Support Services as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairperson of the ACABQ for introducing the respective reports on this subject.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The construction of the new facility for the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Arusha branch forms part of our major interests, in this regard the Group continue to attach great importance on this project of the necessary step in implementing the given mandate of the Mechanism.

4. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the progress made so far on the implementation of this project in particular the successful conclusion and signing of the annex host country-agreement related to land for construction. This is an advanced step in commencing construction and we commend the government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Secretary-General for the efforts devoted in this regard.

5. Our Group also welcomes the recruitment of the Procurement Officer based at the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe Uganda, and like the ACABQ, we would like to stress that the functional cohesion of the project team be maintained in Arusha throughout the project.

Mr. Chairman,

6. There have been a number of capital projects implemented by the Organization in the region and elsewhere, it is therefore necessary to draw lessons and best practises from these projects. We would like to encourage the Secretary-General to continue to draw lessons and best practises not only from the capital projects such as those undertaken in UNON and the ECA but also from other local projects by both public and private entities such as the East African Community, pension funds and host government.

7. The Group would also like to encourage Secretary-General to continue to take advantage of existing local knowledge and capacities as well as advantage of rapid growth of construction sector in the host country in the implementation of the project. The Group will carefully examine how these elements are being taken into account on the implementation of this project.

8. The Group expresses serious concern on the delay experienced so far on the selection of the architectural and engineering design consultant and we would like to stress the need for this project to be completed on time and within the approved resources. We will be interested to learn the reasons for the delay and action taken to address the situation and how accountability has played its role.

Mr. Chairman

9. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to reaffirm our appreciation to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the continued support to the work of the Tribunal and the International Residual Mechanism and in particular supporting this project.

10. Allow me also to assure you of our readiness to participate in a constructive manner deliberations and speedy conclusion on this important agenda item.

I thank you.