Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134, entitled proposed programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017 on the request for a subvention to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

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 for Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports on this important agenda item.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the efficient and effective operation of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia in discharging its given mandate. The Group recalls that by its resolution 69/274A, the Assembly re-affirmed the high priority accorded to the work of the Chambers. In this respect, consideration of the financing of the Chambers forms a key part of the Group's interests as it facilitates the steady progress of the Chambers' workload.

The Group further recalls that, by the same resolution, the General Assembly authorized the Secretary-General, as an exceptional measure, to enter into commitments in an amount not to exceed $12.1 million to supplement the voluntary financial resources of the international component for 2015 and requested information on the use of the commitment authority in the context of the second performance report. The Group looks forward to receiving updates on this matter.

Mr Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China has noted the updates on commendable progress made by the Chambers, in particular, those related to its completion plan and road map; the use of approved commitment of authority, and; the proposed budget for the Chambers for the period 2016 to 2017.

The Group commends the Chambers and the Government of Cambodia for their continued commitment to implement the Chambers' mandate despite financial challenges. We also welcome and commend efforts of the Secretary-General and the Special Expert towards improving the financial situation of the Chambers, including by widening the donor base. The Group encourages further efforts in this regard to improve the financial sustainability of the Chambers.

In this regard, the Group welcomes the Joint Statement issued in Phnom Penh on 17 November 2015 between H.E. Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Chairman of the Royal Government Task Force on Khmer Rouge Trials, and Mr. Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs of the United Nations on the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

While appreciating the Royal Government of Cambodia's willingness to support the Secretary-General's request to the General Assembly in respect of a subvention for the Chambers' operations in 2016, the Group also welcomes the voluntary contribution from potential donors to the national component to ensure the good progress of the Chambers.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China notes the Secretary-General's proposals to, firstly, request for subvention of up to $25.15 million for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2016 and, secondly, to consider the Secretary-General's report on the proposed subvention amounting to $20.08 million for 2017 at the main part of the Assembly's 71st session.

Following the recent financial difficulties, the Group strongly supports the international community's collective effort through the General Assembly to address the Chambers' considerable financial challenges. As such, the Group supports the approval of the Secretary-General's resource allocation proposal to enable the Chambers to fulfil its mandate in an efficient and effective manner.

Mr Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China would like to assure you of our readiness to engage in constructive deliberations so we may finalize this item early.

I thank you Mr Chairman.