A/HRC/31/22 Geneva General Fund, account No. 240-C0590160.1, UBS AG, rue du Rhône 8, case postale 2600, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland (Swift code: UBSW CH ZH 80A; bank number: 240; IBAN: CH65 0024 0240 C059 0160 1); (f) or by cheque, payable to the United Nations, addressed to the Treasury, United Nations, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. 17. Donors are requested to inform the Donor and External Relations Section of OHCHR when a payment has been made (including a copy of the bank transfer order or of the cheque) to facilitate effective follow-up to the official recording procedure and preparation of reports of the Secretary-General. V. Recommendations 18. The Special Fund is a unique mechanism, being the only functional fund established by an international human rights treaty. It is a model for engagement between the United Nations, State parties, national preventive mechanisms and civil society in attaining the common objective of the prevention of torture. 19. The minimum amount required on an annual basis to guarantee a functioning Fund able to support an average of 20 projects per year, with a reasonable level of funding per project (for example, $35,000), is approximately $1.4 million. 20. The Secretary-General notes with alarm that the Special Fund has received no contributions in 2015 (with the exception of one pledge of $30,000). This is a most regrettable situation that directly threatens the sustainability and consolidation of the Fund as a viable tool in the torture prevention system of the United Nations. The Secretary-General calls on Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other private or public entities to contribute to the Special Fund, and to ensure sustained financial support to it. 5