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A/72/764 18-03040 17/19 IV. Key challenges in the first phase of the Mechanism’s work A. Funding and resources 66. For the time being, the Mechanism must rely on voluntary contributions to fund its work. While initial pledges have been encouraging — confirming the importance of the Mechanism’s mandate and the imperative of accountability for the crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic — the absence of regular budget funding creates a number of challenges. Specifically, it makes it more difficult for the Mechanism to plan and organize its work to maximize long-term efficiency. It also means that already limited resources will be diverted from substantive work into fundraising activities. Past experience has convincingly demonstrated that running an international justice mechanism within the framework of voluntary funding is fraught with challenges. As noted in the report of the Secretary-General on strengthening and coordinating United Nations rule of law activities,12 voluntary funding is not appropriate for international justice mechanisms. 67. The Mechanism’s estimated budget for 2018 is approximately $14 million. As at 31 January 2018, the funds pledged for 2018 totalled approximately $10 million, of which $7.6 million had already been received. The Mechanism expresses its appreciation to those States that have so far pledged and provided funds for its work, as well as those States that have supported its fundraising efforts more generally. 68. The General Assembly undertook to revisit the question of regular budget funding for the Mechanism at the earliest opportunity.13 In December 2017, the Assembly called upon the Secretary-General to include the necessary funding for the Mechanism in his next budget proposal.14 Securing regular budget funding for the Mechanism would be a significant step forward and demonstrate the international community’s genuine commitment to justice for the victims of crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic. 69. When it comes to resources more generally, the Mechanism has a lean structure given the breadth of its mandate and the complexity of its work. The Mechanism is committed to integrating the most efficient working methods possible to maximize the international community’s return on its accountability investment. Unquestionably, the Mechanism has an important opportunity to contribute to the forging of new and more efficient approaches to accountability for international crimes. B. Access to Syrian territory 70. The Mechanism cannot presently access Syrian territory. The Mechanism is mitigating the associated impact of this by developing strategies to access a wide range of relevant material, facilitated by technological developments. Nevertheless, the Mechanism will continue to seek access to Syrian territory and to evidence located there. __________________ 12 See A/72/268, para. 58. 13 See resolution 71/248, para. 8; and A/71/755, annex, para. 36. In a note verbale dated 6 March 2017, the Secretary-General invited all Member States to contribute to the Mechanism’s funding, noting that sustained funding was essential for the Mechanism. This was reiterated and stated as a recommendation in his second report on the implementation of the resolution establishing the Mechanism (see A/71/755/Add.1, paras. 24–27 and 34 (a)). 14 See resolution 72/191, para. 35