Advancing Decolonization Agenda ‘Our Collective Responsibility’ Requiring Cooperation By All, Secretary-General Tells Caribbean Regional Seminar

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message, delivered by Rie Kadota, Officer-in-Charge of the Decolonization Unit of the Department of Political Affairs, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines today:

It is a pleasure to greet the 2017 Caribbean Regional Seminar on decolonization, organized on the occasion of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Since its establishment by the General Assembly, the Special Committee on Decolonization has played an important role in advancing the decolonization agenda.  The work ahead is a reminder that we all have contributions to make.  Upholding the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and all relevant resolutions is our collective responsibility.

Cooperation is essential to bring about the effective and complete implementation of the Declaration as we approach the end of the third Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.  In that spirit, I wish to again reaffirm my commitment to the decolonization agenda.

I thank the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for hosting this event for the third time since the establishment of the Committee. Please accept my best wishes for a successful seminar.