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REGRESAR

Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Agenda Items 146, 147 and 148 in particular on the Final Performance Report on the budget of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

13 December 2016

Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 146, 147 and 148 in particular on the final performance report on the budget of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and first performance reports of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRM) for the biennium 2016-2017.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), for introducing respective reports on these agenda items.

Madam Chairperson,

3. With regard to the reports of the Board of Auditors on the accounts of the two Tribunals and the International Residual Mechanism, the Group has taken note that in all the three entities, the Board of Auditors issued unqualified audit opinions on the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.
4. The Group has also taken note of the specific comments, observations and recommendations of the Board of Auditors and we would like to emphasize the need for Tribunals and International Residual Mechanism to implement all the recommendations of the Board in a timely manner and look forward to detailed discussion on specific issues during the informal consultations.

Madam Chairperson,

5. With regard to the ICTR, the Group notes the projected final expenditure in the amount of US$ 5.8 million reflecting an increase of US$ 3.7 million representing 179 per cent from approved appropriations. The Group notes that the increase is attributable to over expenditure under staff costs, education grant advances and extension of the liquidation period by two months.

6. The Group notes with concern on inaccurate forecast of the requirements related to education grant advances and separation entitlements reflecting the weak management of liquidation planning and implementation. The Group would like to emphasize that lessons learned from the liquidation planning and implementation be taken into consideration in the future in particular for respecting the views of the managers on the ground.

7. The Group would also like to emphasize the need to ensure all claims including for local service providers are settled and that all the rental facilities are returned to the tenants in line with lease agreements.

8. The Group has taken note that, the Secretary-General is proposing transfer of balance in the amount of US$ 3.7 million from over expenditure from ICTR to the IRM and we will be interested to learn more on the applicable financial rules and regulations in this regard
as well as the absorption capacity of IRM during our informal consultations.

Madam Chairperson,

9. Turning to the first performance report for ICTY, the Group has taken note of the proposed revised appropriation in the amount of US$ 98 million reflecting an increase of US$ 2.3 million from the initial appropriation. The Group has also taken note that the increase results from two main factors, namely exchange rate adjustments, and standard salary and common staff costs.

10. Turning to IRM, the Group notes that the revised appropriation in the amount of US$ 135.8 million reflects a decrease of US$ 1.7 million from the initial appropriation. The Group notes that the decrease is attributed mainly to inflation assumptions, standard salary and common staff costs adjustments. The Group also notes the information related to exchange rate adjustments for Tanzanian Shilling and Euro.

11. The Group notes that the over expenditure in the amount of US$ 3.7 million related to ICTR is not reflected in the revised appropriation for IRM and we will be interested to seek clarification on the matter during our informal consultations.

12. Furthermore, the Group appreciates the contributions of all stakeholders in particular Mr. Bongani Majola, the Registrar, for ensuring successful conclusion of the ICTR mandate and we wish them best of luck in their future assignments. Allow me also to extend the Group's appreciation to Mr. John Hocking, Assistant Secretary-General and outgoing Registrar for IRM for his contribution to the work of the IRM in particular to the construction of new facilities in Arusha which were completed and currently occupied.
Madam Chairperson,

13. In conclusion, allow me to assure you of our continued readiness to engage constructively on these important agenda items.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.