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S/2016/530 16-09620 7/8 22. In addition, the Mechanism has consulted with several laboratories on chemical substances, munitions and other related issues, as needed. It will continue to work with specialized laboratories to gain a better understanding of the information received and to assess its theories. To date, the Mechanism’s investigators have undertaken six technical visits to several forensic institutes and laboratories. V. Other activities 23. First, the Mechanism established a light footprint presence in Damascus in April. The liaison office there is staffed by a political affairs officer, who acts as the main focal point with the Government, providing up-to-date information and recommendations to the Leadership Panel regarding substantive political matters. 24. Second, to facilitate the investigative work, and to protect the confidentiality of the information received from Member States and other stakeholders, a robust information management system has been put in place. It contains a record management system and a separate network, including a dedicated server in the Mechanism’s office in The Hague. Confidential and non-classified information collected or generated by the Mechanism is placed into the content and record management system. In the case of paper records, originals are scanned to be uploaded to the system and stored in the physical file; physical evidence is described in the system and stored in sealed envelopes or containers. While the system has been implemented in compliance with the United Nations policies on information security and has passed the controls to be certified for storage of strictly confidential materials, most of the information received from Member States is available only as the original copy and stored in New York. The Mechanism’s investigators can review the material upon request and follow a chain of custody regime to ensure that access to the material is recorded. 25. A separate network not connected to the Internet has also been placed in the Mechanism’s office in The Hague. It contains forensic copies of the fact-finding mission material provided by OPCW, witness statements with identifiable names or information and highly sensitive documents. 26. Third, an agreement between the United Nations and the Netherlands concerning the Investigations Office of the Mechanism in The Hague was signed on 31 May and entered into force immediately. It covers, among other things, the status of the Office and its personnel, in addition to cooperation with the host State. 27. Lastly, to date, the Trust Fund set up for the Mechanism has received contributions from 13 donors in a total amount of $8 million and pledges for an additional $1 million. The Leadership Panel is grateful for the generous contributions of Member States, which allow the Mechanism to secure access to the resources necessary to conduct a professional investigation. VI. Concluding remarks 28. Investigations into the nine cases under consideration by the Mechanism have all progressed. Every reasonable attempt is being made to consider and examine various plausible hypotheses presented in relation to each case. Consequently, th