Special Committee on

Decolonization

10^th Meeting (AM)

SPECIAL DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE ADOPTS REPORT OF PACIFIC REGIONAL SEMINAR,

APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS ON, AMONG OTHER TOPICS, LIST OF TERRITORIES

The Special Committee on Decolonization this morning approved its report and adopted the report of the Pacific Regional Seminar, held this year in Bantung, Indonesia, from 14 to 16 May.

The report of the Special Committee (document A/AC.109/2008/L.14), which was approved by consensus, contained decisions and recommendations on:  the holding of a series of meetings away from Headquarters; representation at seminars, meetings and conferences; pattern of conferences; control and limitation of documentation; list of Territories; Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001-2010); regional seminars; and participation of representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the work of the Special Committee.

After the report was approved, the representative of the Congo said that the Special Committee had many challenges before it in the coming year, especially regarding preparations for the end of the Second International Decade and most likely for the beginning of a third such Decade.  Noting that several petitioners and representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories had voiced many complaints about the Committee’s work, he hoped that the Committee during its next session would take those expressions of “discontent and dissatisfaction” into account.

When adopting the report of the Pacific Regional Seminar by consensus, the Special Committee expressed its sincere thanks to the Government and people of Indonesia for their warm hospitality and for providing excellent support and facilities.  In response, Indonesia’s representative expressed his appreciation for the valuable contributions to the Seminar made by all participants and said he hoped that the Seminar had provided valuable insights for the Committee.

The Special Committee will meet again on Monday, 23 June, at 10 a.m. to take up the questions of New Caledonia and Tokelau.

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For information media • not an official record