Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, particularly on the use of the commitment authority and the request for a subvention to the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.

2. At the outset, the Group of 77 and China would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for introducing the reports on this subject, contained in documents A/71/386, Corrigendum 1 and A/71/613 respectively.

3. The Group of 77 and China would like to reaffirm its commitment to the smooth functioning of the mandated judicial institutions, including the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. In this regard, consideration of the administrative and financial aspects of the Court remains one of the key elements on our agenda.

Madam Chairperson,

4. The Group recalls that by its resolution 70/248 A, the General Assembly authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitment in the amount not to exceed US$ 2.44 million to supplement the voluntary contributions to the Court for 2016. The Group notes the financial information related to the use of the approved commitment authority in particular the projected expenditure of the same year in the amount of US$ 1.44 million.

5. With regard to the fundraising activities, the Group has taken note with serious concern that despite the tireless effort of the Secretary-General and his team, the Court has been unable to receive voluntary contributions or pledges for 2016 and 2017. It is of the concern of the Group that the lack of sustainable funding may jeopardize the judicial activities and hamper mandate implementation.

Madam Chairperson,

6. Turning to the requirement for 2017, the Group of 77 and China have taken note of the Secretary-General's request for the subvention to the Court in the amount of US$ 2.9 million reflecting the reality that no pledges will be received by the Court for 2017. At the same time, the Group also notes the challenges faced by the host government in its support to the Court's activities due to the impact linked to the Ebola crisis.

7. The Group has taken note that as part of the responding to the General Assembly mandate on the future financing arrangement of the Court, the Secretary-General has presented two options including the possibility for International Residual Mechanism support to the activities of the Court.

8. The Group fully supports the resource as proposed by the Secretary-General in the amount of US$ 2.9 million for the year 2017. We are also prepared to examine positively the details of the arrangement to fund the Court through assessment from Member States. In this regard, we will be interested to learn the details of the said proposal as well as key elements such as staffing, logistical support, and other administrative arrangements during our informal consultations.

Madam Chairperson,

9. The Group assures you of our readiness to engage constructively in the consideration of this agenda item with a view to reaching conclusion in a timely manner.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.