STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. PETER THOMSON, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FIJI TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 144, 145 AND 146 IN PARTICULAR ON THE SECOND PERFORMANCE REPORTS FOR BIENNIUM 2012-2013 AND BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 2014-2015 ON THE BUDGET OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA, YUGOSLAVIA AND INTERNATIONAL RESIDUAL MECHANISM RESPECTIVELY AT THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-EIGHT SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 10 December 2013)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on the behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 144, 145 and 146 - in particular on the second performance report for the biennium 2012-2013 and budget proposal for the biennium 2014-2015 for the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda, Yugoslavia and the International Residual Mechanism.

2. The Group wishes to thank Assistant Secretary-General, the Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar for introducing the Secretary-General's reports on this agenda item. We would also like to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairperson of the ACABQ, for introducing the Advisory Committee's related report.

3. The Group of 77 and China would also like to send our appreciation to the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Government of the Netherlands for their continued support to the work of Tribunals and Mechanism.

Mr. Chairman,

4. With regard to performance reports of tribunals and residual mechanism, the Group has taken note of the revised appropriation in the total of US$ 518,907,800 gross.

5. The Group has also taken note of each of tribunals' revised appropriations and the elements behind the variances. The Group will be interested to learn details of each of the individual elements' variance during our informal Consultations. We will also be interested to learn in detail about the completion strategies for the two tribunals as well as the transitional measures for the mechanism.

Mr. Chairman,

6. With regard to the budget proposal for 2014-2015, the Group notes the resource proposal for ICTR in the amount of $86.85 million gross before recosting reflecting a net decrease of 53.8% as compared to the biennium 2012-2013 at revised rates. The group also notes the reductions are mainly attributed by reductions in Chambers, Office of the Prosecutor, Registry and Management of Archives components. We have also taken note that the Trust Fund for ICTR will be utilized to support the legacy activities of the Tribunal.

7. The Group has also taken note of the proposed staff changes in ICTR with plans for abolishment of 321 temporary posts for the next biennium. The Group has further taken note of the high vacancy rates in ICTR.

8. The Group of 77 and China will be interested to learn some of the details on these matters-including staff retention, recruitments and separation strategies during informal consultations.

Mr. Chairman,

9. Turning to the ICTY, the Group notes the budget proposal for 2014-2015, in the amount of $191.34 million gross before recosting reflecting a net decrease of 34% as compared to the biennium 2012-2013 at revised rates. The Group also notes the reductions are mainly attributed to reductions in Chambers, Office of the Prosecutor, Registry and Records management and Archives components.

10. The Group has also taken note of the proposed staff changes in ICTY with plan for the abolishment of 167 posts for the next biennium.

11. The Group of 77 and China will be interested to learn in detail the assumptions made behind some staff and other changes proposed for the ICTY and how it relates with those of the twin tribunal ICTR.

Mr. Chairman,

12. Turning to the International Residual Mechanism, the Group notes the proposed resource requirement for two branches of the Mechanism in the total amount of $110.5 million gross before recosting reflecting a net increase of 101.8% compared to 2012-2013 resources at the revised rates. We have also taken note that the increase is mainly attributed to additional requirements under the Office of the Prosecutor, the Registry and the Record management and Archive components, and is partly offset by the reductions proposed under Chambers.

13. The Group has also taken note of the elements of proposed post and non-post resources and will be interested to learn greater detail about these proposals during the informal consultations.

Mr. Chairman

14. The Group of 77 and China has also taken note of some developments related to the establishment of the Mechanism. We welcome the signing of a headquarters agreement between the United Nations and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for Arusha Branch. We have also taken note that, the negotiations for The Hague branch is yet to be concluded. We encourage the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to ensure there is a dedicated team in place to facilitate conclusion of the draft agreement as a matter of priority.

Mr. Chairman,

15. Turning to construction of the Arusha Branch of the Mechanism, we are pleased to note progress made so far that the project is on track and on schedule according to the timetable approved by the General Assembly.

16. The Group will be interested to receive updates on the procurement of architectural consultancy services and status of contract negotiations as well as efforts explored to shorten the project duration further as requested by the General Assembly.

17. The Group of 77 and China would like to once again stress the importance of the involvement of senior leadership at the headquarters and close oversight for this and all other overseas capital projects.

Mr. Chairman

18. The Group would like to assure you of our continued willingness to engage constructively in the deliberations on this agenda item with the aim of reaching a positive outcome as quickly as possible taking into account the time constraints that the Committee is now operating under.

I thank you.