The Coalition Government released a statement today reaffirming its commitment to decolonisation and explaining its choice to vote against a recent resolution presented during the United Nations gathering last week. The government expressed concerns that the resolution extended beyond the intended scope of the decolonisation process.
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 Decolonisation, also known as C-24, in June 2024 and was introduced at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee last Thursday.
It was adopted by a majority vote, with 99 votes in favor. Fiji was the only country to oppose the resolution, while sixty-one others abstained from voting.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to the principles of decolonisation and self-determination, reflecting the positions held by the Pacific Islands Forum and the Melanesian Spearhead Group. He highlighted ongoing regional decolonisation processes, particularly those concerning New Caledonia.
Rabuka pointed out that, as one of only two Pacific nations in the C-24, Fiji has consistently advocated for decolonisation. He argued that the resolution presented last week broadened its scope to include “sensitive issues” that fall outside the mandate of both the C-24 and the Fourth Committee.
“It would benefit from a separate process, in recognition of its significance,” he stated.
The Fiji Permanent Mission in New York is currently collaborating with the UN Secretariat to address these concerns, which will be incorporated into the committee’s report to the General Assembly.