The Special Committee on Decolonisation convened on Monday to finalize the guidelines and procedural rules for its 2025 Pacific Regional Seminar, scheduled to take place in Dili, Timor-Leste, from May 21 to 23. This committee, comprised of 29 members and formally known for addressing the implementation of the Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, facilitates annual seminars in a rotating manner between the Caribbean and Pacific regions. These seminars aim to review progress on the international agenda to eradicate colonialism.
Chair of the Special Committee, Menissa Rambally from Saint Lucia, emphasized the importance of timely nominations for participants from various regional groups, noting the composition of the official 10-member delegation. The committee will also issue invitations to experts, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and officials from Non-Self-Governing Territories, as well as representatives from administering Powers and various regional organizations.
Financial constraints were acknowledged as a significant concern, with the Chair urging for efficient communication to minimize excessive travel expenses associated with participation. The committee approved the seminar’s guidelines and rules of procedure without opposition, stating that the document primarily consists of technical updates.
A delegate from Fiji expressed that the upcoming Regional Seminar is of great significance, urging the Special Committee to focus on effective strategies for Non-Self-Governing Territories, particularly those that are less developed. He requested an informal working paper to assess the current situation and explore actionable steps to promote the decolonization agenda effectively.
In addition to the approval of seminar procedures, the committee also announced the cancellation of an informal consultation scheduled for June, as part of ongoing economy measures in response to the UN’s financial challenges.
Currently, there are 17 recognized Non-Self-Governing Territories under discussion, including American Samoa, Bermuda, French Polynesia, and the Cayman Islands. The administering Powers overseeing these territories include France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Instituted by the General Assembly through resolution 1654 in 1961, the Special Committee plays a critical role in advocating for decolonization.
In a related context, it is noteworthy that Fiji has recently reaffirmed its commitment to decolonization in alignment with regional positions from groups such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Fiji took a unique stance by opposing a UN resolution concerning the decolonization agenda, highlighting the need for a focused discussion on sensitive issues that exceed the mandate of the Special Committee on Decolonisation.
This meeting and ongoing discussions reflect a concerted effort to address historic grievances and push forward the decolonization agenda, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation among nations.
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