1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Agenda item 153: entitled financing of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunal in particular proposed budget for financial year 2025.

2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General and the Controller, and Amjad Alkumaim, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for presenting their respective reports.

3. The Group of the 77 and China would like to reaffirm our strong support to the work of the Mechanism and that consideration and allocation of the adequate resources for the Mechanism particularly in Arusha branch is among our top priority.

4. The Group of 77 and China has taken note of the budget performance for the 2023 which reflects final expenditure in the amount of 77.9 million dollars reflecting under -expenditure in the amount of 4 million dollars to be credited against the Member States for 2025. The Group looks forward to receiving information on the projected expenditure for year 2024.

5. With regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the oversight bodies, the Group notes with serious concern on the slow pace of the implementation of the Board of Auditors recommendations. We concur with the Advisory Committee on the need for the Mechanism to expedite implementation of the remaining recommendations as a matter of priority.

6. The Group of 77 and China would also like to reiterate the need for Mechanism to prompt and efficient complete its remaining work.

7. The Group has also taken note of the discussions related to the administrative and budgetary aspects of possible locations of the archives of the ICTR, the ICTY and the Mechanism and we will be interested to study background for this matter during our informal consultations. The Group would like to reaffirm that, the Fifth Committee is the appropriate Main Committee of the General Assembly entrusted with responsibilities for administrative and budgetary matters.

Madam Chair,

8. The Group notes that the proposed resources for 2025 in the amount of 60.2 million dollars reflecting a decrease of 5.27 million dollars or 8.1 per cent, compared with the appropriation for 2024. The Group notes that, the main underlying assumption for the decrease is the proposed abolishment of 5 temporary posts and 22 general temporary assistance positions by the end of 2025. We note that 4 of the 5 posts proposed for abolishment are located in Arusha and the one post P-4 Chief Security Officer was originally transferred from Arusha to The Hague. We have also taken note of the proposed reduction of non-post resources.

9. The Group of 77 and China is once again concerned of the serious level of bias on the post and GTA reduction which continues to be skewed in one direction of the Mechanism's Arusha Branch. The Group continues to reject the double standards in the treatment of the two branches of the Mechanism.

10. With regard to the question of nationalization of positions, the Group of 77 and China is seriously concerned that, the current proposal continues to ignore the provision of paragraph 12 of the General Assembly resolution 78/249. We strongly encourage the Mechanism to nationalize posts as mandated by the General Assembly resolution.

Madam Chair,

11. With respect to the settlement of claims and liability, the Group welcomes the efforts of the government of the United Republic of Tanzania as a host country in finding solution to the matter which has taken too long to resolve. The Group would like to once again emphasize the need for the Secretary- General to make necessary efforts for the finalization of this matter amicably for the better interest of the Organization as soon as possible, and we will seek for specific information in this regard during our informal consultations.

12. In conclusion, madam chair, allow me to reassure you of our readiness to engage constructively with a view to reaching consensus outcome in a timely manner.

I thank you.