The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to the eradication of colonialism, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration with territories and administering powers. In a recent address marking the opening of the 2026 session of the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for renewed dedication to completing the unfinished task of terminating colonial rule.
Guterres, whose remarks were delivered by Courtenay Rattray, his Chef de Cabinet, highlighted that decolonization has been a fundamental goal of the UN since its establishment. He noted, “This Organization was created as a place where nations could meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled.” Despite significant strides made over the last decades, he cautioned that the repercussions of colonialism still shape modern societies. The Secretary-General pointed out that the remnants of colonialism manifest in economic exploitation, racism, inequality, and ongoing exclusion from key decision-making processes.
The UN’s focus is currently directed towards 17 non-self-governing territories (NSGTs), primarily small island nations in the Caribbean and the Pacific, many of which face unique challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels and natural disasters. The UN encourages all stakeholders—including administering powers, the NSGTs themselves, member states, and the Special Committee on Decolonisation—to engage actively in the decolonization process.
Chapter 11 of the UN Charter obliges administering powers to facilitate self-governance and provides for annual reporting to the Secretary-General. The Declaration on Decolonisation and subsequent resolutions outline pathways for self-determination, covering independence, free association, or integration. The C-24 plays a crucial role in monitoring these territories, facilitating dialogue, and recommending actions to aid in the decolonization efforts.
To ensure comprehensive support, the C-24 conducts monthly regional seminars in the Pacific and Caribbean and holds an annual substantive session in New York that evaluates the conditions of the territories and gathers input from numerous stakeholders. Recommendations developed during these sessions proceed to the Fourth Committee and eventually to the General Assembly, influencing resolutions on decolonisation.
The committee also collaborates with various UN agencies and international organizations to bolster support for NSGTs. With the permission of administering powers, C-24 has initiated visiting missions to territories for direct assessments. An instance of this was the mission to Montserrat in 2019, which focused on post-volcanic recovery efforts, underscoring the necessity for tailored support strategies.
Despite notable advancements, challenges remain in the pursuit of self-governance for the remaining territories. The UN reports that the population living in dependent territories has significantly decreased—from about 750 million at the organization’s inception to nearly 2 million by 2020. Most of the current population resides on small islands that are particularly vulnerable economically and environmentally.
This demographic evolution reflects both the progress of past efforts and the continued need for the UN’s targeted interventions. The organization emphasizes perseverance, determination, and cooperation as essential components of its mission to promote self-determination. Given the changing geopolitical and environmental landscapes, flexible and adaptive strategies will be key to advancing the goal of full independence or suitable political status for all NSGTs.
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