The Coalition Government issued a statement today reaffirming its commitment to the decolonization process and explaining its decision to vote against a recent resolution presented at the United Nations last week. The government expressed concerns that the resolution extends beyond the intended scope of decolonization efforts.
The resolution, titled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: Eradicating Colonialism in all its forms and manifestations,” was discussed by the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), which includes Fiji, in June 2024. It was presented at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly’s Fourth Committee last Thursday, where it passed with a majority vote of 99 in favor.
Fiji was the only nation to oppose the resolution, with sixty-one countries opting not to vote. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to the principles of decolonization and self-determination, aligning with the positions of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, particularly in relation to ongoing regional processes in New Caledonia.
Rabuka noted that as one of only two Pacific countries involved in the C-24, Fiji has consistently advocated for decolonization efforts. He argued that the resolution presented last week broadened the discussion to “sensitive issues” that fall outside the mandates of both the C-24 and the Fourth Committee. He emphasized that these matters would be better addressed through a separate process, acknowledging their importance.
The Fiji Permanent Mission in New York is currently engaging with the UN Secretariat to clarify these concerns, which will be included in the committee’s report to the General Assembly.