Delegates Commend Innovative Ideas on Quest for Self-Determination, as Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization Concludes
KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 18 May — The Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization had produced innovative ideas on a broad range of issues with a view to advancing progress towards self-determination for the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, participants said today at the conclusion of the event’s third and final day.
“Fruitful discussions held during this year’s Seminar included a number of concrete proposals for implementation,” Special Committee Chair Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño (Venezuela), said in a statement delivered by Douglas Arcia Vivas. “Those proposals touched upon various aspects of the work of the Committee, such as visiting missions, dissemination of information, political education programmes, implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the role of United Nations specialized agencies and funds and programmes.”
Nedra Miguel (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), speaking for the host country, described decolonization and colonialism as uncompleted journeys. “You have made significant steps forward,” she added. Emphasizing the Seminar’s importance, she said that its discussions had, among other things, identified elements that had delayed the decolonization process, and that a negotiated path to decolonization, was the preferred way.
The theme for the 2017 Seminar was “Implementation of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: the future for decolonization in the Non-Self-Governing Territories: what are the prospects?” Discussions centred on the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories on the Special Committee’s list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)*, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands and Western Sahara. (For background information, see Press Releases GA/COL/3306, GA/COL/3307 and GA/COL/3308.)
During the final meeting, participants approved a resolution (document CRS/2017/CRP.20) expressing appreciation to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for having hosted the Seminar.
The Special Committee was expected to consider a draft report on the Seminar (document CRS/2017/CRP.19) during its substantive 2017 session, to be held in New York in June.
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* A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).