Madam Chair,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the agenda item concerning the request for a subvention to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

2. The Group wishes to thank Ms. Maria Costa, the deputy controller, Director, Fininance Division, and Mr. Carlo Jacobucci, the Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports.

3. The Group takes note of the Secretary-General's report on the use of the commitment authority and the request for a subvention for 2026, as well as the twenty-sixth report of the ACABQ.

4. The Group also takes note of General Assembly resolution 79/324, which endorsed the extension of the residual functions of the Chambers until 31 December 2027, and welcomed the Government of Cambodia's intention to establish the ECCC Resource Centre, a permanent public institution to preserve the legacy and archives of the Court. We underscore that the effective implementation of the residual phase, as well as the successful establishment of this Resource Centre, will depend on predictable require predictable and sustainable financing.

5. The Group acknowledges the substantial national effort of Cambodia, including its full funding of the national component and its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. We also express appreciation to Member States that have contributed voluntary funding. However, the Group is deeply concerned by the sharp decline in voluntary contributions, which has fallen from 65% of budget requirements in 2015 to only 20% in 2025, and expected contributions for 2026 only $4,600.

6. Given this situation, the Group stresses that the financial failure of the Chambers at this advanced stage of its work would be unacceptable. It would undermine decades of efforts in the pursuit of justice for the people of Cambodia and weaken the international community's broader commitment to combating impunity.

Madam Chair,

7. With the ECCC scheduled to complete its functions by the end of 2027, the Group stresses that ensuring a predictable and adequate level of funding remains indispensable to allow the Chambers to complete its remaining judicial and administrative functions, including witness protection, enforcement of sentences, archival work, and the transition to the future Resource Centre.

8. In this regard, the Group continues to support the Secretary-General's proposal subvention from the Unreguler budget for the year 2026, in which we trust will be positively considered during our deliberations.

9. To conclude, Madam Chair, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its readiness to engage constructively on this agenda item, with a view to achieving g a timely and successful outcome that preserves the legacy of the Extraordinary Chambers and supports Cambodia's continued pursuit of justice and reconciliation.

I Thank you.