The General Assembly today adopted a total of 40 texts — half of them taking recorded votes — recommended by its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), addressing the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories and assistance to Palestinian refugees, among other topics.
Decolonization
Continuing its 2025 session, the Special Committee on Decolonization today adopted a new resolution reiterating its position that the sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) must be resolved through peaceful and negotiated means.
Despite a recent landmark agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom bringing the question of Gibraltar to a historic juncture, the representative of that Territory and the delegate of Spain disagreed on steps forward concerning the decolonization of that Territory, as the Special Committee on Decolonization met today.
The Special Committee on Decolonization continued the substantive part of its 2025 session today, hearing from a petitioner as it took up the question of Gibraltar — 1 of 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories.
The long-standing question of decolonizing Western Sahara took centre stage today, as the Special Committee on Decolonization heard impassioned statements from petitioners and delegates alike that reflected divergent views.
The Special Committee on Decolonization opened the substantive portion of its 2025 session today and approved three draft resolutions relating to territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the Pacific Regional Seminar of the Special Committee on Decolonization, in Dili, Timor-Leste, today:
The Special Committee on Decolonization will hold the Pacific Regional Seminar in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 21 to 23 May within the framework of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2030).
The Special Committee on Decolonization met today to approve the guidelines and rules of procedure for its 2025 Pacific Regional Seminar, which will be held in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 21 to 23 May.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ opening remarks, delivered by Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, at the 2025 Session of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, in New York today: