The third meeting of the 20 26th session of the committee on the situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples is called to order.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all participants attending the June meetings of the committee.
I should also like to pay tribute to the members of the committee for their remarkable work.
I trust that our deliberations will continue to be guided by a spirit of consensus and understanding.
I now draw your attention to the agenda for the June meetings, which was circulated via e delegate last Friday.
It was prepared in accordance with the program of work and timetable of the committee contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash slash rev one.
May I take it that the committee wishes to adopt the agenda? I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
I would like to once again draw the attention of the committee to document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash L two slash rev one containing the program of work and timetable of the committee for its 2026 session as adopted by the committee at its organizational meeting on 16 February 2026.
May I take it that the committee wishes to proceed in accordance with the program of work on the understanding that further adjustments may be made as necessary during the course of the session.
Okay.
I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
May I further propose to consider the territories on our agenda for this morning in the following sequence.
Question of Toklau followed by the question of American Samoa, question of Anguilla, question of Bermuda, question of Gibraltar, of the British Virgin Islands, of the Cayman Islands, and question of French Polynesia.
I hear no objections.
It is so decided.
At this juncture, I would like to advise the committee of the time limits for statements in order to ensure that everyone has had the opportunity to be heard and that we are able to complete our work within the time available.
Statements by the non self governing territories will be limited to 10 minutes.
Interventions by speakers who have requested and been approved for a hearing will be limited to 4 minutes except for Puerto Rico, for which interventions will be limited to 3 minutes owing to the high number of requests received.
Statements by members of the committee and observer member states will be limited to 5 minutes if delivered in a national capacity and to 7 minutes if delivered on behalf of a group.
For members of the special committee, the time limits for the exercise of the right of reply will be 5 minutes for the first intervention and 3 minutes for the second.
For observer member states, the time limit will be 3 minutes for the first intervention and 2 minutes for the second.
Microphones will be automatically cut off when the speaking times have elapsed.
Please submit your statements in advance to etments at unn.org with a copy to the United Nations decolonization Unit at dp decolonization Unit at unn.org.
These email addresses are also published in the UN journal.
I now give the floor to the Secretary of the committee to report on the status of documentation and other arrangements in support of our work program.
Madam, Thank you, Madam Chair.
I am pleased to report that all official documents for this session were submitted and issued in all six official languages on time.
Further, I would like to inform delegations that while the official document system ODS is currently unavailable, official documents related to the 2026 session of the special committee may in the meantime be accessed through the United Nations Digital Library.
As indicated in the e delegate announcement circulated on Friday, the three draft proposals scheduled for consideration today, L three through L five, are also available on the ePlace and may be accessed through the digital library in the six official languages.
Furthermore, may I take this opportunity to remind delegations that states that are not members of the special committee and wish to speak under any of the items have first to register to participate in the 2026 session through the C 24 module of the e delegate portal so that the committee may, in line with its established practice, consent to their participation and approve it.
Inscription and the speaker's list alone will not suffice.
If you have any questions on this, I invite you to approach my colleagues on my left.
And before concluding, and as indicated by Madam Chair, please do send a copy of your statements before delivery to facilitate the work of our interpreters.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the Secretary, in addition to those United Nations member states who requested at our first meeting on 16th February and second meeting on 16th March to participate in the work of the committee during this session as observers and who were admitted accordingly.
I have subsequently received further requests from the following delegations to participate in this session as observers.
Comorose, Dibbouti, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Namibia, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Senegal, Surinam.
With the consent of the committee and in accordance with its established practice, I also invite those delegations to take a place at the committee's table.
We will now turn to the next item on our agenda, Request for hearing.
These requests have been circulated in eight Memoirs 01 slash 2609 slash 26 relating to the questions of the British Virgin Islands, the Falkland Island Malvinaas, Gibraltar, Guam, New Caledonia, the Turks and Caucas Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and Western Sahara, as well as to the committee decision of 16 June 2025 concerning Puerto Rico.
As indicated on our program of work and timetable, we shall take up the questions of the British Virgin Islands and Gibraltar and the related hearings this morning and we'll proceed to address the questions of Guam, New Caledonia, and the Turks and Caucasus Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, as well as other related hearings this afternoon.
The question of Western Sahara and the related hearing will be considered tomorrow on Tuesday 16th, June and on Wednesday 17th, June.
The committee will consider the question of the Falkland Island Malvinas and the related hearings on Thursday 25th June.
In accordance with the committee's program of work and timetable, the committee will consider on Monday 22 June, the item entitled Special Committee Decision of 16 June 2025, concerning Puerto Rico Hearing of Petitioners.
The committee has received this year 73 requests to hear from entrusted organizations.
I would like to suggest that these petitions be heard on Monday 22, June.
May I take it that the committee wishes to proceed accordingly and to accede to those requests for hearings contained in a memoirs before the committee? I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
The committee will now consider the item entitled dissemination of Information on decolonization.
In this connection, I would like to draw the committee's attention to the report of the Secretary-General covering an overview of activities undertaken by the Department of Global Communications to disseminate information on decolonization contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash 18.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Robert Skinner, Deputy Director of the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications to make a statement.
Sir, you have the floor.
Madam Chair Excellencies, Distinguished delegates.
Good morning.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on being re elected as chair of this esteemed committee.
It's a testament certainly to your leadership, dedication, and the confidence placed in your stewardship and we look forward to working with you, Madam Chair, as well as with the members of the Bureau to advance the broader United Nations objective of eradicating colonialism.
It is my honor to present the Secretary-General annual report on the dissemination of information on decolonization pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 80 slash 104 of five December 2025.
This report outlines the department's activities from April 2025 to March 2026.
I'd like to highlight selected activities from this reporting period.
The Department issued a total of 23 press releases in English and French covering meetings and statements related to decolonization by the General Assembly, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, the fourth Committee, and this special committee.
Furthermore, to support the 2025 Pacific Regional Seminar held in Dalhi 2021-2023 May, the Department published a curtain raiser press release in both English and French, ensuring broader visibility across its channels.
Our digital platforms continue to be the cornerstone for I'm sorry, educating the global public on the options for self determination and the history of the decolonization agenda.
If I may allow me to give a few examples.
The global issues section of the United Nations website featuring content on the issue of decolonization in the organization's six official languages received more than 31,000 views between one April 2025 and 29 January 2026.
The dedicated observance pages for the International Week of solidarity with the peoples of non self governing territories garnered more than 6,600 views over that same period.
Leveraging its nearly 70 million collective followers, the main United Nations social media accounts continue to promote the subject of decolonization in the six official languages, as well as Hindi, Kwahili, and Portuguese, covering relevant observances and activities and channeling traffic to relevant United Nations web pages on decolonization.
In 2025, the United Nations and Decolonization website, maintained by our colleagues in the Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs had more than I'm sorry, 1,142,500 page views.
On 11 December 2025, the Department of Global Communications launched a dedicated website for the International Day Against Colonialism in all its forms and manifestations in the six official languages.
In advance of the General Assembly high level plenary meeting to mark the first ever observance of the day, the website received 4,905 views following its launch.
Our United Nations News, operating in ten languages, covered decolonization related materials with particular emphasis on the commemoration of the first International Day, as well as the 65th anniversary of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.
UN News French, for instance, produced a feature in April 2025 exploring the legacy of Haiti's colonial debt and renewed calls for accountability.
In December 2025, to mark the first International Day and the 65th anniversary of the Declaration, the Portuguese unit produced a photo story in December 2025 using United Nations archival images to depict Angola's independence in 1975.
During the reporting period marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and its support for independence movements, the Department published a video highlighting that in 1960, 16 of the 17 new states admitted to the United Nations were from Africa.
UN web TV continued to provide live and on demand multilingual streaming coverage.
During the reporting period, the team added 53 new videos covering meetings and events related to decolonization, including meetings of this special committee.
UN P also continued to cover the issue of decolonization, adding about 60 images related to the subject matter, 20 of which were made available to the general public.
Some 2,600 images are currently archived in the photo archive system.
UN visitor services across New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi continue to educate the public on decolonization through guided tours, briefings, and lecture programs.
Nearly 195,000 visitors participated in in person guided tours at the United Nations headquarters in New York, while an additional 540 visitors took part in virtual tours during the reporting period.
Also in New York, a total of 272 visitors joined the in person Black History tour, which highlights the Arch of Return permanent Memorial and the contributions of people of African descent.
The visitor service in Geneva reached approximately 47,000 visitors.
The service in Vienna welcomed more than 50,000 visitors in 2025, and the service in Nairobi engaged approximately 11,700 visitors.
During the reporting period, the Dog Hammerstrd Library digitized a significant collection of more than 11,610 historic United Nations documents, spanning approximately 206,000 pages.
Notably, within this collection, over 3,500 documents comprising more than 126,700 pages specifically pertain to the subject of decolonization.
Additionally, the library continued to update and maintain the two research guides on decolonization supporting researchers worldwide.
The two guides received approximately 17,000 views during the reporting period.
The global network of 60 United Nations information centers continue to raise awareness on decolonization through outreach, information dissemination, support for United Nations observances, and targeted engagement with stakeholders at the national and regional levels.
In accordance with resolution A slash slash 79 slash 115, which mandates the Secretary-General to develop an outreach program to mobilize educational institutions and civil society to expand activities related to remembering colonialism, its root causes, and its consequences, the department will continue to draw on its diverse platforms and partnerships, including its networks of academic institutions, civil society organizations, UN information centers, and guided tour programs.
To continue raising awareness and driving action on decolonization related matters, especially in the lead up to and during the commemoration of the International Day.
In closing, the Department will continue its efforts to raise awareness and promote action on the issue of decolonization, advancing the objectives of the fourth international decade for the eradication of colonialism.
Through close collaboration with the Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs, the Department continues to leverage its diverse multimedia and multilingual platforms to support the work of this special committee.
This partnership remains essential to furthering the cause of decolonization and to emphasizing the urgent need for the immediate and full implementation of the Declaration on granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.
We thank you for your continued support.
I thank Mr.
Robert Skinner, Deputy Director of the outreach Division of the Department of Gable Communications.
Thank you.
In accordance with the established practice on this item, a representative of the Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs will now address the committee on this issue.
I give the floor to miss Josie Amble, Chief of the Decolonization Unit of the Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs to make a statement.
Madam, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues in the Global Communications and conference management departments.
Ladies and gentlemen, It is an honor for me as chief of the decolonization Unit of the Political and Peace Building Affairs Department, DPPA to address the committee under the agenda item on the dissemination of information on decolonization, to report on work undertaken by DPPA in collaboration with the Department of Global Communications in fulfilling the mandate of the General Assembly.
In light of the comprehensive overview of activities provided in the Secretary-General report just introduced by my colleague from the Department of Global Communications, I will limit my remarks to highlighting selected items of DPPA's work.
The decolorinization Unit continued to update the Secretariat working papers on each of the non self governing territories under the purview of this special committee.
These updates are based on information transmitted under Article 73E of the Charter of the United Nations and supplemented by information from official sources.
In line with relevant General Assembly resolutions, particular attention continued to be given to cross cutting issues, including gender deseggregated data, as well as broader socio economic developments in the territories.
The decolonization Unit also continued to maintain and update the website, United Nations and decolonization in all six official languages as a key platform to keep the public informed of developments relating to decolonization.
During the reporting period, the website provided comprehensive coverage of activities of the special committee, the Fourth Committee, the Economic and Social Council, and the General Assembly.
In 2025, the website attracted more than 1.1 million page views, over 770,000 sessions, and 424,000 users, underscoring sustained global engagement with an interest in the United Nations work in this area.
The dedicated section of the website entitled Women in the Territories Highlights was further updated to continue showcasing the roles, contributions, and achievements of women in the non self governing territories and the process of decolonization.
Additionally, consistent with the Secretary-General data strategy, the infographic UN decolonization in numbers continued to be updated, providing accessible and user friendly data on key aspects of the decolonization agenda.
The department has developed and maintained and implemented a multilingual digital awareness campaign aimed at enhancing public understanding of decolonization.
Launched in December 2025, following the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 80 slash one oh six, entitled International Day Against Colonialism in Audits Forms and Manifestations.
The campaign coincided with both the 65th anniversary of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.
As well as the first observance of the International Day against colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
Through a series of faced releases across social media platforms and materials produced in all six official languages, the campaign ensured sustained visibility and contributing to strengthening awareness of United Nations efforts to advance the deconization agenda.
Madam Chair, Excellency, distinguished delegates.
In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the decolonization unit of DPPA to supporting the work of the special committee and to further strengthening the dissemination of information on decolonization in accordance with all relevant General Assembly resolutions.
I thank you.
I thank miss Josanabll, the Chief of Decolonization Unit of the Department of Political and Peace Building Affairs for her statement.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement or ask a question on the presentations just made? I see no request for the floor.
The committee will now take up the text of the draft resolution submitted by the chair under this item contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash L.
As you may recall, the committee adopts this draft every year.
It contains previously agreed texts with most of the changes made to ensure that the dates and references are current.
The draft was circulated electronically among committee members in advance.
I now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position before we take action on this draft resolution.
I now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position or make general statements before we take action on this draft resolution.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Cuba.
Cuba, you have the floor, please.
International neo colonial in particular in bias, and principal excess para organisms.
Or a Puerto Rico colonial algo paso, continuum colonial combina cogniiv no papa alguno, fenders independencia in the bnenci.
In the benivt La visbra I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba.
I now recognize and give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.
You have the floor, please.
Here we watch it.
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Stocker bra material progress resists stranum neodum.
Territory, Puerto Rico.
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Nta Schatz, Paris Pristina, zach Henschkyyatgo, Azrabaul Azaz.
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Adnasonia politics chicos, ads lagoodtpleenia, neoconnealsma, creia, ractic donosritom neural nosoxsto.
Chin premirum nastasia musulinia ovulate politics abdom pose, primacy cha, kpcrua aggresbina vat, cub, Vsiasulculars, kubinsk urodum privso.
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Giant resolumvip, Sosa a puncta, Pb, poitomic isnia colonialism of sex fora.
Es pros neuron colonialism, camaras prosgona.
Rashid dynamic in Norris colonialism of Toms, also immun and pernium.
Ovarian committee is just a grass of pneumonia.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.
I no further request for the floor.
I have no further request for the floor.
We will therefore proceed to take a decision on draft resolution L four, and I propose that the committee adopts it without a vote.
I see no objection.
It is so decided.
Draft resolution L four is adopted.
I will now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position after the decision on this draft resolution.
I have no request for the floor.
The committee has thus concluded its consideration of this item.
I thank you.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the next item on its agenda entitled Information from non self governing Territories transmitted under Article 73E of the Charter of the United Nations.
In that connection, I wish to draw your attention to the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A slash 81 slash 63, which pertains to the transmission of information by the administering powers in accordance with Article 73 E of the Charter of the United Nations.
The committee appreciates receiving such important information.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement on this item? I recognize the distinguished representative of Cuba.
You have the floor, Madam a country where we will examine autonomous.
And Elmundzas Efren multidimensional, the international, inclusion cre aliment autonomous.
Integrals.
A committee Secretariat format dependencia colonialists, compras, osmole oportbl I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba.
I now recognize and give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.
Fiji, you have the floor, please.
Madam Chair, at the outset, Fiji extends its warm congratulations on your reelection.
We remain confident in your leadership as you guide this committee in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by the General Assembly.
We thank the Secretariat for the informative presentations from the Department of Global Communications and the decolonization Unit, and we acknowledge with appreciation the continued support of DGACM.
Madam Chair, the rights of the peoples of the non self governing territories are clearly affirmed in Articles one, subsection two, and 73 of the UN Charter.
These provisions must remain the moral compass of our work.
Fiji affirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of the 17 remaining territories in accordance with the resolution 1514 and reiterates the inalignable right of their peoples to benefit from and access their natural resources for present and future generations.
We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to the government of the people of Nicaragua for hosting the recent Caribbean regional seminar and for enabling open and constructive dialogue among the committee, the territories, the administrative powers, and other stakeholders.
Madam Chair, as we enter the fourth international decade for the eradication of colonialism, Fiji remains deeply concerned by the limited progress achieved.
In this context, we offer two observations, First, with reference to the committee's report contained in document L 0.2 slash Rev one and consistent with paragraph seven, subsection D of resolution 80 slash 105, it is important that the Secretariat advance without delay the development of the work program for the NSGTs on a case by case basis.
We would appreciate clarification on the proposed timeline and whether the program will be presented first to this committee or to the fourth committee.
Second, Fiji notes with concern that the voices of the 17 territories have not been equally represented over the years.
Several reports contained updated information.
For example, the committee last heard from Bitkin in 2004 and its demographic situation where 80% of the population will soon be over 65 underscores the urgencies of obtaining updated views.
Therefore ask what efforts are being undertaken to engage directly with the territories and ascertain the wishes of their peoples.
Should any territory no longer wish to remain on the list, what role would this committee play in facilitating that process? These are preliminary observations and Fiji looks forward to constructive engagement throughout this session.
Finally, Madam Chair, we must continue to prioritize decolonization and elevate its visibility across the UN system.
This includes enhancing awareness of the full range of political status options and clearly mapping the way forward.
Fiji will continue to advocate for the committee's essential role and for ensuring it is adequately supported and financed despite liquidity challenges and the ongoing UNAD reform process.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji.
I have no further request for the floor.
I now draw your attention to the text of a draft resolution contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash L three submitted by the chair under this item.
The committee adopts this draft every year, and it contains text that was previously agreed by the committee.
All the changes made are technical updates to ensure that the dates and references are current.
This draft was circulated electronically among committee members in advance.
I will now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position before we take action on this draft resolution.
I see no request for the floor.
We will therefore proceed to take a decision on draft resolution L three, and may I propose that the committee adopts it without a vote.
I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
Draft resolution L three is adopted.
I now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position after a decision on this draft resolution.
I have no request for the floor.
The committee has thus concluded its consideration of this agenda item.
The committee will now take up the next item on its agenda entitled the of sending visiting and special missions to territories.
Does any delegation wish to take the floor on this item at this point? I have no request for the floor.
I now wish to draw your attention to the text of a draft resolution contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash L submitted by the chair under this agenda item.
This is another draft which the committee adopts annually and which also contains texts previously agreed by the committee with a few changes.
The draft was circulated in advance among committee members.
I now give the floor to the members of the committee wishing to explain their position before we take action on this draft resolution.
I have no request for the floor.
We will now proceed to take a decision on draft resolution L five, and I propose that the committee adopts it without a vote.
I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
Draft resolution L five is adopted.
Thank you.
I will now give the floor to members of the committee wishing to explain their position after the decision on this draft resolution.
I have no request for the floor.
This means the committee has thus concluded its consideration of this item.
The committee will now begin its consideration of item entitled Question of Toklau.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to the working paper on this item prepared by the Secretariat and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash 14.
I was informed that the Uulu or Toklau would not attend this year.
Next and in line with the established practice, I now give the floor to the interim administrator of Tkolau, Mr.
Andrés Van Der Walt, to make a statement on behalf of the administering power.
Sir, you have the floor, please.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Distinguished members of the Bureau, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Tina Coto Cato Mani.
I have the honor today to address you on the question of Tkolau.
Madam Chair, 2026 is an important year in the New Zealand Tkolau relationship, marking the centenary of New Zealand's administration.
Toklau has previously indicated its intention to begin a new conversation on the question of self determination, with the 100 year anniversary of New Zealand's administration acting as a key milestone for further reflection on this very important question.
New Zealand welcomes this development and remains committed to supporting Toklau to address this question as and when requested by Toklau and in consultation with the United Nations.
Madam Chair, Tokolau's traditional atl based governance structures continue to reflect the challenging and unchanging geographic realities of Tokolau.
It's a population of some 1,500 people spread evenly across three atolls, 60 to 90 kilometers apart and 500 kilometers from Samoa.
This effectively requires each atoll to be self sustaining.
Indeed, in practice, Madam Chair, Toklao has largely been self governing for several decades.
It therefore remains important, Madam Chair, that the people of Tkolau are enabled to consider these questions at their own pace and in their own way.
Madam G New Zealand' financial envelope to support Tokolau over the last three years within this planning period through to June 2027 is around $80 million.
This funding enables Toolau to receive capacity and capability expertise, technical assistance, and training across a range of priority sectors including health, education, governance, public financial management, and maritime transport.
A wide range of New Zealand government agencies and Pacific regional agencies work alongside Toklau to provide much of this support.
Madam Chair, infrastructure remains a key area of focus.
For example, improving connectivity on Al and reducing reliance on imported fuels by upgrading and expanding renewable energy systems.
We are pleased to say that by the end of this year, Toklau will have most of its electricity generated by solar energy.
Alongside this, we continue to support Toklau to prepare and to adapt to the effects of climate change and to protect the unique culture and language of Toklau.
In response to the impact of the Middle East conflict in the Pacific region, we are working closely with Tokolau to manage and mitigate potential fuel crises.
This includes through practical support to increase Tokolau's reserve fuel supplies on each at all.
Madam Chair, New Zealand is a Pacific country and as previous administrators have mentioned here in this forum, we have a direct stake in the region's peace, stability, prosperity, and resilience.
Challenges facing the Pacific region continue to grow.
These challenges are multifaceted and complex.
Toklau is not immune to these challenges.
Indeed, all Pacific nations are impacted.
Madam Chair, in conclusion, New Zealand will continue to work closely, purposefully, and in partnership with Toklau in addressing these regional challenges, including the question of self determination.
Together, we will support each other.
Nahiui, Ka Koto, Fkfitai, Lahilee.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the interim administrator of Toklau.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement or address a question on this item? I recognize the distinguished representative of New Zealand.
You have the floor, please.
The apologies.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.
Fiji, you have the floor, please.
Madam Chair, I thank you for the floor.
I wish to speak on the question of Toklau.
Fiji wishes to recognize and express our appreciation for the update provided by the interim Tklaw administrator, Mr.
Andre Walt.
We warmly welcome his presence with us today.
We also wish to congratulate the people of Toklau for the peaceful general elections in March this year that led to the appointment of the new Uulu or Toklau Mr.
Alapay Tavite.
As a Pacific territory with whom we share not only the Blue Pacific continent, but also deep social and cultural ties, Fiji values the commitment demonstrated by the administrating power in New Zealand, an important member of our Pacific family in its continued social, political and economic support for Toklau.
It is unfortunate that the newly elected Uulu or Toklau is unable to join us this year.
However, we are reassured by the statement delivered today by the interim administrator that Toklau and its people remain well supported.
Recall in May 2022, Tokylau's general Fa undertook to begin a renewed conversation on the question of self determination in the lead up to the 100 year anniversary of New Zealand's administration over Toklau in February this year.
We note that this decision was welcomed by New Zealand, which reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Toklau as it's considered this important question.
Madam Chair, regardless of how long this process may take, whether sooner or later, it is essential that this committee continue to support Toklau and the administrating power in New Zealand in ensuring a peaceful and inclusive political process that reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Tokylau.
Allow me also to acknowledge and thank New Zealand for all it has done and continues to do for the people of Tokylau.
The New Zealand government has invested significantly in the islands over many years, despite the exceptional challenges posed by limited transport connectivity and the provision of basic services.
The primary mode of transport remains by sea, requiring 23 to 40 36 hours to reach the nearest island, Samoa, depending on weather conditions.
These challenges have been further compounded by the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.
Despite this, New Zealand has remained a steadfast and critical development partner for Toklau.
Madam Chair, as the transition process continues, it is important that New Zealand, as the administrating power, maintains its support until a mutually agreeable political pathway is established.
As panhandle for the resolution on the question of Tolau, Fiji extends its appreciation to the Uulu or Toklau and the representative of administrative power for the close collaboration this year, which enabled a fundamental review of the resolution.
We look forward to updating the resolution this year to better reflect the political developments that have taken place.
The revised resolution will be updated shortly.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji.
I have no further request for the floor.
I see no further request for the floor.
The committee will consider the text of a related draft resolution and take action on it during the plenary meetings scheduled on Friday 26 June.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item question of Toklau.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the item entitled Question of American Samoa.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash one.
The committee will now listen to the speakers who have requested the floor under this item and take action on the related draft resolution during the plenary meetings scheduled for on Friday 26 June.
I have no request for the floor on this agenda item.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item of American Samoa.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the item entitled Question of Anguilla.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash two.
The committee will now listen to the speakers who have requested the floor under this item and take action on the related draft resolution during the plenary meetings scheduled on Friday 26 June.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement on this item? I have no request for the floor.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item of Anguilla.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the item entitled Question of Bermuda.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash three.
The committee will today listen to the speakers who have requested the floor under this item and take action on the related draft resolution during the plenary meeting scheduled on Friday 26 June.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement on this item? I have no request for the floor.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item of Bermuda.
I now invite the special committee to begin its consideration of the next item on its agenda entitled Question of Gibraltar.
Under this item, the special committee has before it a working paper prepared by the Secretariat and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash eight.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind the committee that the delegation of Spain had indicated its wish to participate in the committee's deliberation on this item as an observer and that I had informed the committee during our organizational meeting on 16 February Accordingly.
With the consent of the committee and in accordance with established practice, I now give the floor to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Mr.
Fabian Picardo.
Sir, you have the floor, please.
Madam Chair, 80 years ago.
In 1946, we were listed as a non self governing territory, 80 years ago.
That is more than the lifetimes of many of our people.
So it is clear, Madam Chair, that the arc of decolonization is long.
But in the case of the Gibraltarians, it will bend only towards our just self determination, whoever tries to pull it away from us.
It was in 1963 that Gibraltarians first came here to speak for our people.
63 years later, also a lifetime, we are still here, still speaking, still waiting for you to act.
I am the fourth Chief Minister of Gibraltar to have addressed this committee.
No Chief Minister of Gibraltar has addressed you more often than I have.
Today, I address you for the last time as Chief Minister.
It may be my last time.
But I will not be the last.
There will be more, a never ending flow, if necessary.
Until you finally act, we will be here.
Until you delist us, we will persevere.
Until you do the right thing, we will come.
Because future generations of Gibraltarians will come to this committee year after year, decade after decade, if that is what it takes until the day you finally do what law, logic, and justice demand of you remove Gibraltar from the list of non self governing territories because only that will reflect the freely and democratically expressed wishes of its people, the self determination of our people writ large.
Because we will never give up our rights.
Never.
I have come here consistently with one message, and I will not change it now.
The right of the people of Gibraltar to self determination is inalienable.
It is a right enshrined in Articles one and 55 of the charter.
It is a right proclaimed in resolution 1514 of 1960, which applies to all peoples of all self governing territories without distinction, and the people of Gibraltar are exactly such a people.
In the language of resolution 1541 of 1960, we have a status separate and distinct from that of the administering power.
Our right is universal.
It is unconditional.
It is not subject to the veto of any state.
Against that right, what is raised to delay our delisting? Two resolutions of the 1960s procured by the relentless lobbying of the murderous dictatorship of General Franco.
Think about it, Excellencies.
The case against the Gibraltarians rests on text lobbied through this organization by a tyrant whom modern Spain herself disowns.
Those resolutions are not merely outdated.
In international law and in universal morality, they are worthless.
No foundation whatsoever on which to deny a people their fundamental rights.
No more than the discredited residue of a dead, disgusting dictator.
The Gibraltarians defied Franco.
His response was to try to strangle us, to try to throttle us by closing the land frontier in 1969.
It did not fully reopen for 16 long years.
Families divided, relatives shouting news of births and deaths across a no man's land.
Franco believed he could besiege the Gibraltarians into submission, but he failed.
He failed because he had not reckoned with the will of the Gibraltarians.
I am the son of that generation.
I was born behind that closed frontier.
Our parents and grandparents stepped forward so that our community could survive.
War told our grandparents evacuated generation to leave forever.
But they did not leave forever.
A dictator told our parents close frontier generation to despair, but they did not despair.
This committee has told our defiant generation nothing, but we will not be ignored.
The future may tell our children's hopeful generation to forget, but they will not forget.
That is the steel from which the Gibraltarians resolve is made.
So let no one in this room ever make the mistake of believing that the resolve of the Gibraltarians can be bent.
It cannot.
It will not.
No frontier closure bent it.
No campaign of pressure bent it.
No passage of time will ever erode it.
Yet, Madam Chair, I do not come here today in anger.
I come here in hope because something historic has happened since I last addressed to you.
The United Kingdom and the European Union have now concluded a treaty in respect of Gibraltar, a treaty negotiated at the request of the people of Gibraltar and by the government of Gibraltar.
It is a treaty that will sweep away the physical barriers of a bygone era.
It delivers fluidity for the hundreds of thousands of human beings, Gibraltarians and Spaniards alike, whose loves, lives and livelihoods cross that frontier.
A better modus vivendi between neighbors who share a future.
And it does so while leaving sovereignty aside and untouched.
And it does so while leaving self determination entirely uncompromised.
Article 2 of the treaty makes clear that nothing in it and nothing done under it affects the respective legal positions on sovereignty and jurisdiction.
It is the tightest without prejudice clause in the history of documentation on Gibraltar, because the government of Gibraltar has negotiated the treaty for Gibraltar, and the UK will only sign and ratify the treaty because the Gibraltar Parliament has called upon it to do so.
A concordat between Gibraltar and the UK sets out that implementation of the treaty is Gibraltar's responsibility.
Indeed, Madam Chair, it seems that everyone is prepared to recognize our right to self determination.
Except the committee that was set up precisely for that purpose.
The treaty proves what I have told this committee for 14 years, that the Gibraltarians are not the obstacle to good neighborly relations.
We are its greatest champions.
We can build prosperity with Spain.
We can build friendship with Spain.
We want to.
We are doing so, but we will never, in exchange, give up our right to self determination.
Cooperation, yes.
Always.
Capitulation? No.
Never.
But let us now build bridges of prosperity where dictator slammed closed gates of iron, knowing that none of this will be finished in my lifetime as Chief Minister, nor perhaps in the time of my successor, but knowing also that we have begun.
So, Madam Chair, I leave you with three final asks and one promise.
First, come to Gibraltar, send a visiting mission, see our self governing, democratic, prosperous, proudly diverse people, and you will not be disappointed.
Second, stop doing nothing.
63 years of silence is not neutrality.
It is a failure of this committee's most basic duty, which is to the people of the territories, not to the claims of states.
Third, once you have seen that we are self governing, recommend our delisting to the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly.
And finally, my promise.
This is my last address to you as Chief Minister.
As the curtain falls on the last of my interventions before you, do not imagine that you have heard the last of me.
I reserve the right to seek to return to this table, if necessary, as a petitioner speaking for the civil society of my homeland.
The times change, Madam Chair.
Our people will not.
Our rights will not.
80 years have passed since we were listed.
Four chief ministers of Gibraltar have come before you.
More will keep coming.
So, Madam Chair, let the word go forth from this chamber to friends, to foes, and to neighbors alike.
The torch of our political freedom is passing to a new generation of Gibraltarians.
They will not ask this committee for permission to be who we are.
They will ask this committee only when You finally intend to honor your own responsibilities under the charter.
So ask not whether the Gibraltarians will ever give up their right to self determination.
Ask only how long you will make them wait to recognize it because you can wait out a Chief Minister, but you cannot wait out the Gibraltarians.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
And goodbye for now.
I thank the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Mr.
Fabian Picardo.
Thank you, sir.
I now invite the distinguished representative of Spain to make a statement.
Excellency, you have the floor, please.
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I thank the distinguished permanent representative of Spain.
Does any delegation wish to take the floor for a general statement or address a question on this item? I have no request for the floor.
In accordance with a request for a hearing, which the committee granted at the beginning of our meeting this morning as listed in the Eid Memoir 03 slash 26, I would like to invite the petitioner, Mr.
Richard Butigi to take a seat at the petitioner's table.
I kindly remind to limit the statement to no more than 4 minutes as announced earlier.
In this regard, I would like to inform that the red light on the microphone will begin to flash when there is 1 minute left before the end of the four minute speaking time.
Once the end of the 4 minutes is reached, the sound on the microphone will be cut off and it will no longer be possible to be heard.
The full statements may be submitted to etments at un.org with a copy to the decolonization unit at DPP decolonization unit at unn.org.
I also wish to remind petitioners to limit their statements strictly to the territory under which they have been approved to be heard.
Having said this, I now give the floor to Mr.
Richard Butig to address the committee.
Sir, you have the floor, please.
Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee, and thank you for the opportunity to address you all.
Most of you will be aware that a Brexit related agreement has been reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Gibraltar.
The starting point of that agreement is simple but critical.
Gibraltar has been treated as requiring a bespoke international agreement separate from both the United Kingdom and the European Union's general framework.
We have therefore been recognized because we could not be ignored.
The structure of the agreement confirms it.
The parties are defined as the European Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Gibraltar.
That formulation acknowledges that this agreement operates through Gibraltar's own institutions, Gibraltar's own laws, and Gibraltar's own lived reality.
Indeed, the agreement expressly recognizes that the parties' laws includes the laws of Gibraltar.
This is not the language of administration.
It is the language of a jurisdiction.
It is the language of a people governing themselves.
They are the everyday expressions of what Gibraltar is, a society that makes its own decisions, takes responsibility for its own future and protect its own way of life.
On the issue of sovereignty, Article 2 of the treaty makes clear that nothing in the agreement affects the positions of the United Kingdom of Spain.
Some might say that this limits the significance of the agreement, but for us, it does something far more important.
It sets that dispute aside and allows the reality of Girala today to speak for itself.
Because once sovereignty is set aside, what remains? What remains is Gibraltar as it actually exists, a community with its own institutions, its own laws, its own responsibility, and its own voice, and that is where the real significance lies.
Gibraltar is treated as a jurisdiction with its own legal and regulatory systems, a body exercising real control over its borders, its economy, and its administration, a participant in structured international cooperation, and the focal point of a bespoke international agreement designed around its needs.
That is not theory.
It is the evidence that is before us.
For the people of Gibraltar, it resonates at a deeper level because we know not from reading a treaty, but from living it, that we are not a relic of the past.
We are not an unresolved footnote of history.
We're a modern self governing community.
We have voted time and again for our future, and we have forged an identity that is both British and uniquely Gibraltarian.
And now in this agreement, that lived reality is reflected back to us quietly, implicitly, but unmistakably.
The treaty reflects a relationship based on cooperation, not control, on capability, not dependency, on respect, not assumption.
And so we are left with an important question, not just for lawyers, not just for government, But for the international community and this committee in particular.
If Gibraltar governs itself, regulates itself, sustains itself, and is treated in international agreement as a distinct and capable jurisdiction, on what principle basis can it still be described as a colony? That is not an emotional question, but a deeply human one for us because behind every article 0F this agreement are the people of Gibraltar, our families, our histories, and our future.
We do not ask for special treatment, we ask for honest recognition.
We ask that the lived reality of our people be given the legal weight it deserves.
Because the question is no longer whether Gibraltar has evolved.
The question is whether the international community and this committee is prepared to recognize that it has.
Thank you.
I thank Mr.
Richard Mutugi.
Taking into account our deliberations and in accordance with the committee's established methods of work, I would like to suggest that the committee continue its consideration of the question of Gibraltar at its next session, subject to any directives which the General Assembly may wish to give it at its 81st session.
In order to facilitate the consideration of this item at the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, fourth Committee, I trust that all relevant documentation on the item would be transmitted to the 81st session of the general committee.
May I take it that the committee wishes to proceed accordingly? I hear no objection.
It is so decided.
The committee has thus concluded the stage of its consideration of this item.
Before proceeding to the next item, I wish to inform the committee that I have received further requests from the following delegation to participate in this session of the committee as observer.
Belize Belarus.
With the consent of the committee and in accordance with established practice, I also invite those delegations to take a place at the committee's table.
Okay.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the item entitled Question of the British Virgin Islands.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash four.
The committee will now listen to the speakers who have requested the floor under this item and take action on the related draft resolution during the plenary meetings scheduled for Friday 26 June.
With the consent of the committee and in accordance with established practice, I will now give the floor to the premier of the British Virgin Islands, Mr.
Norio D.
Whitley, to address the committee.
Sir, you have the floor, please.
Thank you.
Madam Chair.
Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
I bring you warm greetings from the government and people of the British Virgin Islands.
I would like to sincerely thank the Special Committee for granting me this opportunity to address you today.
Excellencies, our quest for the total and unequivocal decolonization of the BBI continues and is at a critical stage.
We are poised for constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom government next month, in which we are seeking a pre independence constitution that provides for full internal self government, bicameral legislature and a referendum in 2031 to complete the decolonization process.
The House of Assembly in April unanimously approved an official negotiating position that reflects the unified position of all political parties in the legislature.
I'd like to set out for you the key constitutional provisions we are seeking that are steps for a full measure of self government.
The premier should chair cabinet instead of a UK appointed governor, continuing to attend this core decision making body of the executive branch of government.
This is already the case in Gibraltar, Bermuda and the crown dependencies.
Why not the BVI? A Senate should be created to establish a bicameral legislature.
This is already the case in Bermuda.
Why not the BVI? Responsibility for the public service should be devolved to the elected arm of government under the authority of a minister instead of a UK appointed governor.
This is already the case in Gibraltar, Bermuda, and the crown dependencies.
Why not the BVI? Responsibility for internal security should be devolved to the elected arm of government under the authority of a minister instead of a UK appointed governor.
The current delegated areas of external affairs should also be devolved to the elected arm of government, which is already the case in practice.
The unilateral authority of the UK to suspend or remove the democratic rights of the people of the BVI should be eliminated altogether, even just on moral grounds.
There should be a referendum in 2031 to fully decolonize the territory in the exercise of the right of the people of the BVI to self determination.
Madam Chair, Excellency's, friends, these are the core constitutional provisions we are seeking, and we now need your support.
The Special Committee has already been tremendously helpful through your good offices and a visiting mission in 2024.
But we now need you to fully engage as we take this next step in charting a responsible constitutional path toward full sovereignty.
Your advocacy makes a real difference.
Our case is buttressed by the fact that the BBI has been financially self sufficient since 1978 and receives no financial assistance from the United Kingdom.
We also recently completed the most comprehensive governance reform in the history of the territory.
As we continue to position the society for self determination, we are taking steps on the ground to help prepare the public for meaningful engagement, including setting up a decolonization commission that will help educate the local population on the UN sanctioned options for decolonization with respect to integration, free association, and independence.
My government will certainly ensure that the public is aware of the obligations and responsibilities of independence so that this option is approached responsibly from an informed perspective.
Madam Chair, turning to the relationship between the BVI and UK, I take this opportunity to acknowledge that in March, the UK lifted the order in council that hung over the BVI like the sword of Damocles with a looming threat of the democratic rights of the people of the territory being stripped from us.
We do not accept the authority of the UK to wield such power over our people, but it is a positive development that the threat has been removed.
The BVI is grateful to the Special Committee for its steadfast support and extends very special thanks to our Caribbean family, Caracar, the OECS and the Caribbean territories for their solidarity.
In particular, I would like to express our deep appreciation to Antigue and Barbuda, St.
Kitts and Neves, St.
Lucia, the Bahamas, and Belize for their consistent support for our cause.
Thank you, as well to the governments from across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean for your continued support to the BVI and our struggle for freedom.
We will continue to engage constructively with the C 24, the UK, and all our partners until we achieve our ultimate goal of a full measure of self government.
Madam Chair, thank you.
I thank the premier of the British Virgin Islands.
Does any delegation wish to take the floor at this time to make a statement or address a question on this item? I recognize and give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Antigua and Bob Eder.
Excellency, you have the floor, please.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
At the outset, my delegation wishes to express our sincere appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of Nicaragua for their wonderful hosting and coordinating of the Caribbean Regional Seminar.
Madam Chair, my delegation also extend our appreciation to you and the members of your Bureau for your steadfast leadership of this committee, and we pledge our continued support in the process.
Turning to the British Virgin Islands, for Antigua and Barbuda's interest in this matter, Madam Chair, is rooted in our shared Caribbean history, culture, family ties, long standing economic and social relationships.
With the people of the British Virgin Islands.
As a nation that emerged itself from colonial rule, we remain deeply committed to supporting all peoples in their legitimate quest of self determination and self government, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the General Assembly Resolutions 15 14 slash 15 and 15 41 slash 15.
We continue to regard the decolonization process as one of the United Nations most important responsibility.
While significant progress has been achieved globally, the The continued existence of non self governing territories reminds us that our collective work remains unfinished.
Madam Chair, Antigua and Barbuda welcomes the progress currently being made in the British Virgin Islands on unconstitutional advancement, governance reform.
We note with encouragement that the constitutional negotiations between the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom under the way and that the constitutional negotiating composition received unanimous support in the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
This broad political consensus demonstrates both democratic maturity and shared national vision for the territory's future.
We further note that the people of the people and the government of the British Virgin Islands continue to pursue a modern constitutional framework that would provide a greater measure of international self government.
And sorry, self government are aimed at engaging local authority over governance and public service and international affairs, representing the legitimate steps in the political evolution of these territories.
Antigua and Barbuda commends the elected government of the British Virgin Islands for its commitment to governance, governance reform, and institutional strengthening The extensive the extensive program of legislative and administrative reform undertaking in recent years demonstrates the territory's determination to strengthen transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
We also welcome the progress made in the implementing the recommendations arising from the commission of inquiry, and the process notes the positively that these efforts contribute to the withdrawal of the order in the council that had provided for the provided for the possible suspension of the institution and the imposition of direct rule.
This development reflects confidence in the territory's institutions and its capacity to govern its own affairs.
Madam Chair, Antigua and Barbuda further acknowledges the increasing leadership of the role of the British Virgin Islands in regional and international forum.
Its active engagement in the regional institutions and broader international processes demonstrates growing institutional capacity and readiness to assume to assume greater responsibility for its own affairs.
Antigua and Barbuda remains, Madam Chair, a close friend of the United Kingdom and recognizes the constructive partnership that continues to exist between the administrative powers and the elected government of the British Virgin Islands.
We encourage both parties to continue engaging in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation as they advance the constitutional development of the territory.
At the same time, we reaffirm the inimable right of the people of the Virgin Islands to self determination as enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and reaffirmed in the General Assembly resolutions of this Assembly.
The aspirations, wishes, and freely expressed by the people of the Virgin Islands must be paramount and in this process.
We invite you to wrap up, Excellency, In closing, Madam Chair, in closing, Antigua and Barbuda calls for continued dialogue amongst the government of the United Kingdom, the elected government of the Virgin Islands, and the United Nations and its and its institutions, and we recognize and continue to reaffirm our commitment in supporting the rights of the people of the Virgin Islands for self governance and self determination.
I thank you.
I thank the permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda.
I now recognize and give the floor to the representative of St.
Lucia.
You have the floor, please.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair, since this is the first time my delegation is taking the floor during this substantive session, I wish to first convey my delegation's appreciation to the government and people of Nicaragua for hosting the 2026 Caribbean Regional Seminar.
In addition, my delegation acknowledges and welcomes the participation of the premiere of the British Virgin Islands, and we thank him for the presentation made today.
Madam Chair, we are gathered here once again in the committee's substantive session, which serves as an opportunity to assess the state of play of the contemporary decolonization process.
In so doing, we are reminded of the many challenges faced in bringing an end to contemporary colonialism.
We recall that most of the remaining non self governing territories are small islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
They share with neighboring island states similar conditions relative to their size, economies of scale, and their susceptibility to threats and challenges brought about by climate change.
St.
Lucia reiterates its commitment to the C 24 and thus has a particular interest in the successful decolonization of the small island territories in our region who enjoy significant economic and social integration in Caribbean institutions.
These territories are integral parts of the economic, political and social fabric of the Caribbean civilization.
As a matter of fact, some of the territories are part of our sub regional institution, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, as well as the wider regional institution, the Caribbean community.
Similar integration of territories exists in the Pacific Islands Forum.
Madam Chair, St.
Lucia commends the elected government of the British Virgin Islands for the progress achieved in the review of its constitutional order by the Territories Constitutional Commission and recent public meetings held in advance of discussions with its administering power on constitutional advancement as a precursor to an act of self determination.
Moreover, we also commend the commencement of negotiations between the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom on a new constitution.
Snuche congratulates the duly elected government of the British Virgin Islands on its comprehensive legislative reform in the territory, which has led to the lifting of the order in Council.
Moreover, we commend the BVI for the leadership role it has played within the region through the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
My delegation also commends the elected governments of the British Virgin Islands for commissioning official independent self governance assessments.
These assessments provide useful analysis on the level of preparation for full self government in these territories.
Madam Chair, Many countries throughout the Caribbean have benefited from UN efforts in the political and constitutional development process until the full measure of self government had been achieved.
This goal was accomplished in large measure because of the adherence to the parameters of self determination set forth in the principles providing the minimum standards of full self government set forth in resolution 15 41.
St.
Lucia reaffirms that the principles of resolution 15 41, along with the decolonization Declaration, must continue to be the guiding standards applicable to small island territories, just as they were the measure earlier used to decolonize former territories.
The principle of political equality should and must remain universal.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of St.
Lucia.
I now recognize and give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belize.
You have the floor, please.
You Microphone, please for Belize.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I also would like to join in thanking you and your Bureau in the wonderful stewardship of this process.
Madam Chair, Belize welcome the opportunity to address the question of the British Virgin Islands.
We do so guided by a firm and principled commitment to the rights of all peoples to self determination as enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and in the Declaration on the granting of Independence to colonial countries and peoples.
For believes, this is not an abstract principle.
Our own national history reminds us that self determination is founded on dignity, democratic choice, national development, and the right of a people to determine their future.
It is in that spirit that Belize reiterates its support for the legitimate aspirations of the people and elected government of the British Virgin Islands to achieve a full measure of self government in accordance with their freely expressed will.
Belize takes note of the continued engagement of the British Virgin Islands with the Special Committee and welcomes the information shared during the 2026 C 24 Caribbean Regional Seminar in Managua.
That engagement demonstrated that the territory is approaching its political future in a structured and serious manner, including through governance reforms, constitutional review, public discussions, and efforts to define a negotiating position with the administering power.
We further note the importance of the 2024 C 24 visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands.
Visiting missions are among the most practical tools available to the United Nations in the decolonization process.
They allow the committee to hear directly from the people of the territory, assess conditions on the ground, and support case specific recommendations that can move the process beyond procedure towards tangible process.
Chair believes encourages the administrative power to engage constructively and in good faith with the elected government of the British Virgin Islands in the constitutional negotiating process.
Such engagement should be treated by respect for the freely expressed will of the people of the territory, the need for political education, and the objective of strengthening local capacity for a full measure of self government.
Madam Chair, the fourth International decade must be measured not only by renewed commitment, but by progress that is practical, visible, and responsive to the realities of each territory.
On the question of the British Virgin Islands, Bilz urges continued dialogue, the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, and sustained cooperation between the territory, the administering power, and the UN.
Bilz remains steadfast in its commitment to the people the commitment to the complete eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations, we reaffirm our support for the people of the British Virgin Islands as they continue to pursue their political future with dignity, confidence, and in accordance with their freely expressed will.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Belize.
I have no further request for the floor.
I would like to remind the committee that it had acceded earlier this morning to the request of a petitioner to speak under this agenda item as contained in E Memoir 01 slash 26.
I invite Mr.
Bonito Whitley to take a seat at the petitioner's table.
As announced earlier, I kindly remind petitioners that statements are limited to 4 minutes.
The red light on the microphone will flash when 1 minute of speaking time remains and the microphone will be automatically cut off once the allotted time has expired.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Benito Whitley to address the committee.
Sir, you have the floor.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
Madam Chair, the special committee has deliberated extensively on the question of the British Virgin Islands for over seven years.
You can be proud of your role in the continuation of democratic governance in the territory, as well as the visiting mission to the islands that assessed the situation on the ground.
These were indeed important steps, but you must now go further in fulfilling your mandate.
The premier of the BBI has today set out very clearly the constitutional advancements necessary for a responsible path to full sovereignty.
What the BVI needs now is the expressed support of this committee to help secure those advancements and a referendum in 2031 to decolonize the territory, as he has stated.
This is a once in a generation opportunity for the Special Committee to use your moral, diplomatic and political authority to help deliver on the decolonization agenda.
You have the combined influence of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Pacific that can move the process forward.
There are only four years left to make meaningful progress in this fourth international decade for the eradication of colonialism and the global South must do its part.
The BVI has the potential to be one of the crowning achievements of this committee if you are able to sustain your support and have the courage of your convictions.
This is not about embarrassing the UK or damaging any member of the committee's relationship with the UK.
It is about encouraging the BBI and UK to work together to decolonize a territory, which is an obligation on all parties under international law.
There's also an opportunity for concrete action on the decolonization of a territory in the Caribbean, which remains the most colonized region in the world.
We must make further progress if this committee is to remain relevant.
Madam Chair, I thank the committee for this opportunity to make this intervention.
I thank you.
I thank Mr.
Bonito Whitley, The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item of the British Virgin Islands.
The committee will now begin its consideration of the item entitled Question of the Cayman Islands.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash five.
The committee will listen today to speakers who have requested the floor under this item and take action on the related draft resolution during the plenary meetings scheduled for Friday 26 June.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement on this item? I have no request for the floor.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the item question of the Cayman Islands.
The committee will now take up the item entitled Question of French Polynesia.
In that context, I wish to draw your attention to a working paper prepared by the Secretariat for information on this item and contained in document A slash AC 109 slash 2026 slash seven.
The committee will listen today to speakers under this item and take action on the related draft resolution at its plenary meeting scheduled on Friday 26 June.
With the consent of the committee and in accordance with established practice, I now give the floor to the Delegate for International, European and Pacific Affairs of French Polynesia, miss Marvia Leica italog to address the committee.
Madam, you have the floor.
Please go ahead.
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I now give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of France to address the committee on behalf of the administering power.
Excellency, you have the floor, please.
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So D two actor politic concern La services I thank the distinguished permanent representative of France.
Does any delegation wish to take the floor to make a statement or address a question on this item? I have no request for the floor.
Apologies.
I recognize and give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji.
You have the floor, sir? Please.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
It just be remiss of Fiji, not to acknowledge the presence of our colleagues from the Pacific in the room, in particular, miss Mara Quitalong for her dedication and commitment in particular.
To the question on French Polynesia before us.
Thank you so much.
I also just want to also take this time to also appreciate the response from the distinguished permanent representative of France and the collaboration that continues to prevail in particular between French Polynesia and the administering power, France.
For Fiji, we'll continue to do our part.
French Polynesia is an important territory in the Pacific.
We have engaged with them through the Pacific Islands Forum process.
We also value French Polynesia close collaboration with the Pacific on a number of issues, in particular on cultural diplomacy and very familiar to us is sports competition where French Polynesia is a very genuine and tough competitor over the years, as you have noted, in the South Pacific games where they play a very critical role in our region.
When it comes to the political situation of the territory, Fiji remains guided by the wishes of the people of French Polynesia and also in close collaboration with administering power of France as we have heard today.
Any collaboration and political process will remain guided by the UN Charter, the international law, and of course, resolution 15 14 and we respect the wishes of both territories of the territory and also administering power of France, that the collaboration will continue in this manner.
This has been our stance for very long and also in line with the Pacific Ocean of peace collaboration to ensure that we continue to sustain peace in the region, in line with the Pacific way.
In relation to the report of French Polynesia as presented to us, probably I would have missed the fourth committee, 27 petitioners last October, in case if there's any summary, maybe I'll talk separately in case if there any summary to those 27 petitioners on the French Polynesia question last October, really appreciate, but as far as we look into the report, we couldn't really in particular, I couldn't find it, but in case if there is any really appreciate that summary, thank you so much.
I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji.
I'm looking around to see if there's any other delegation requesting the floor.
No.
We have no further request for the floor.
This means the committee has concluded this stage of its consideration of the item of French Polynesia.
We have now come to the end of this meeting.
The next formal meeting of the committee will take place at 3:00 P.M.
This afternoon in this conference room to consider the questions of Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitkurn, St.
Helena, and the Turks and Caucos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
This meeting is adjourned.
GA
General Assembly
(3rd plenary meeting) Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) - 2026 session
The Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples is also known as the Special Committee on Decolonization, or C-24.
Description
Dissemination of information on decolonization
Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations
Question of sending visiting and special missions to Territories
Question of Gibraltar
Question of Tokelau
Question of American Samoa
Question of Anguilla
Question of Bermuda
Question of the British Virgin Islands
Question of the Cayman Islands
Question of French Polynesia
The C-24 annually reviews the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories to which the Declaration is applicable. It also hears statements from representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories at its annual sessions, dispatches visiting missions to Non-Self-Governing Territories and annually organizes regional seminars.
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