2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Christophe Monier, Director Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget Division, and Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports.

3. The Group expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone for its continued support and commitment towards the functioning of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL), as well as other Member States and partners for their valuable support towards the work of the Court.

4. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the proper functioning of mandated judicial institutions, particularly the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone , and will pay close attention to the financial requirements of the Court.

5. The Group notes that the resource requirements for the Court are to provide for the important operations of the Residual Special Court and key activities related to judicial and non-judicial functions, including the protection of witnesses and victims, the judicial and administrative proceedings, the supervision of enforcement of sentences, the assistance to national authorities and State cooperation, the maintenance of archives and court management, the preservation of the legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone and outreach aimed at raising the visibility of the Residual Special Court.

Madam Chair,

6. The Group recalls that the expenses of the Court were to be borne by voluntary contributions from the international community; however, voluntary contributions have been chronically insufficient to cover the expenses of the Court since 2015, hence the continued need for the subvention from the General Assembly as the main funding source for the Court.

7. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that this unpredictable and insufficient nature of voluntary contributions continues to present serious challenges to the sustainability of the work of the Court as well effective implementation of its mandate. In this regard, the Group reiterates the need for a long-term sustainable funding mechanism for the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.

8. The Group of 77 and China commends the efficiency measures being taken by the Residual Special Court, including the use of virtual or online meetings, where feasible for travel (including fundraising trips), the sharing of administrative arrangements, and staffing structures, among others.

9. To conclude, Madam Chair, the Group assures you of our commitment to engage constructively in the consideration of this agenda item with a view to reaching a timely conclusion.

I thank you.

2. The Group wishes to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, Mr. Jakub Chmielewski, Vice- Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Mr. Ge Sheng, the Director of External Audit (of China) and Chair of the Audit Operations Committee, BOA, for introducing their respective reports.

2. The Group expresses its gratitude to the Government of Switzerland, as host country of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG), for its continued support to facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Heritage Plan construction project.

3. The Group is greatly committed to the preservation of the patrimonial value of the United Nations premises at Geneva. The compound around the Palais des Nations reminds us of the efforts that were undertaken to forge a multilateral system prior to the foundation of the United Nations. It is a reminder of the events that unfolded after the failure of the League of Nations and a beacon for us to avoid losing the United Nations in similar fashion. These very symbolic reasons incentivize us to ensure a successful completion of this construction project.

4. Having said this, the Group needs to highlight some of the very serious concerns on which it is impossible not to point out:

5. First: The tenth progress report presented by the Secretary General on this construction project, just one year ago, forecasted an overall budget overrun by 3 per cent, which was equivalent to a projected shortfall of 39.5 million Swiss francs. For the Group it is difficult to understand that just in one-year span, the eleventh progress report indicates that now there is a forecast of a cost overrun of 14% of the approved budget, representing an additional demand of 118.2 million Swiss francs, this is without even having certainties on the amount of the guaranteed maximum price for building E. Furthermore, the project is facing additional delays by 24 months for the renovation of historic buildings and 16 months for building E.

6. Whereas the Group is cognizant that going above the initial budget by a construction project is something that could happen, something completely different is receiving the request as we have before us in this session. With significant increases in both the projected costs and expected delays, the Secretariat needs to reflect and account to the General Assembly on how it has allowed the situation to progress to this stage, and to urgently put in place mitigation measures to salvage the situation.

7. Second: Looking at the previous resolutions on this construction project, the General Assembly stressed the importance of effective governance, oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of the project to ensure that the project objectives are achieved on time and within the approved budget. The Group has very serious doubts that these resolutions of the Assembly have been taken into account when we are asked to provide almost 80 more million Swiss francs than we were asked just last year. We note that the Board of Auditors have also recommended that the project strengthens oversight and mitigate risks of additional costs and delays.

8. The Group of 77 and China finds this situation untenable for a project in this stage of maturity.

9. Third: There are other matters on which the Group will seek clarity, like the continuous delays in securing a guaranteed maximum price for building E which was something expected for this year, as envisaged in the tenth progress report, and the decision by the Steering Committee include equipment to allow for remote participation via remote simultaneous interpretation.

10. Finally, the Group will seek accountability on the management of this construction project, which is something that needs to be urgently addressed to avoid compromising the continuation of this project.

11. In conclusion, Madam Chair, the Group would like to assure you of our continued commitment to work constructively with all delegations on this agenda item.

I thank you.

2. The Group of 77 and China thanks Mr. Anthony O'Mullane, Director of Policy Strategy and Governance, and Mr. Jakub Chmielewski, Vice- Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports.

3. The Group notes the refined elements of the information and communications technology strategy for the five-year ICT strategy planned for 2023-2028 in response to General Assembly resolution 78/243 in which the Assembly requested for refined elements of the ICT strategy that includes; more clarity and precision on the vision and intended objectives of the strategy, existing and envisaged challenges and risks, including cybersecurity, lessons learned and interlinkages with related initiatives, a clear and effective governance and accountability framework, estimates of the resources needed for the implementation of the strategy with a view to rationalizing the allocation of existing ICT expenditures and avoiding duplication and overlaps among others;

4. The Group notes that while the ICT Strategy is a critical enabler of the mandates of the Organization and is intended to define the high-level strategic vision, principles and expected outcomes of ICT activities across the Secretariat, the Group agrees with the Advisory Committee that the presented refined elements report is not adequately responding to the specific requests of the Assembly in resolution 78/243 and we look forward to further clarifications during the informal session;

5. The Group recalls that under the current ICT strategy, information and communications technology will be integrated and symbiotic with organizational priorities and will achieve a holistic coherence in overall working of the Secretariat entities. Considering that annual average Secretariat ICT combined spending by all entities is in the range of more than USD 773 million, the Group is of the view that the Secretary-General should ensure more effective and efficient use of, and reporting on ICT equipment and assets.
 
Madam Chair,

6. The Group of 77 and China reminds that increasing interdependence and interconnectivity of the Secretariat's digital environment requires a consistent, closely coordinated and transparent approach to cyber security that enables all Secretariat entities to comply with basic practices, policies and standards, while establishing accountability and providing global visibility and oversight in line with Part II of General Assembly resolution 69/262;

7. The Group emphasizes that due to a rapidly evolving technological landscape especially by the time of the conclusion of the implementation of the ICT strategy in 2028, driven by increased computing power and the use of artificial intelligence, the ICT Strategy must be able to adapt during the life of the strategy in order to align the relevant technologies with mandate delivery and in the context of emerging security challenges and risks.

8. The Group also stresses the need to avoid dependency on specific vendors to mitigate security risks and monopolization, and to ensure that services are accessible to all Member States, wherever they are located, in keeping with the principle of sovereign equality among all Members.

9. In conclusion, Madam Chair, the Group of 77 and China stands ready to engage constructively during the informal deliberations of this agenda item.

I thank you.