The United Nations Secretary-General warned today that the enduring legacy of colonialism — marked by entrenched economic exploitation, racism, inequality and exclusion from decision-making — continues to shape the realities of the world’s 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, calling for inclusive dialogue, youth leadership and urgent climate action to guide their future.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, as delivered by Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, at the organizational meeting of the 2026 Session of the Special Committee on Decolonization, in New York today:
In Colombia, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), with its partners and the Government, launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Nearly 7 million people need aid this year — roughly one in every eight Colombians — amid conflict between non-State armed groups, which is present in 60 per cent of Colombia’s municipalities.
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.
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.
