1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Request for a Subvention for the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.

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.