BASSSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN his message to delegates of the 2009 Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonisation, the UN Secretary-General said that his organisation’s system would continue to offer assistance to the Non-Self-Governing Territories in the areas of economic and social development, among others.
The Secretary-General’s message was delivered yesterday (May 12) by Michael M. Streitz, Senior Political Affairs Officer of the Decolonisation Unit of the Department of Political Affairs, at the opening ceremony of the three-day Seminar being held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Streitz informed the distinguished gathering that the Secretary-General said the seminar gives the Special Committee on decolonisation an opportunity to examine the progress made in the implementation of the principles contained in the United Nations Charter relating to Non-Self-Governing Territories, and in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
“The right to self-determination must be taken into proper account as we explore how to accelerate the decolonisation process for the remaining 16 Territories under the Committee’s purview,” the Secretary-General’s message read.
The Secretary-General commended the Committee for deciding to look at the challenges and opportunities for the decolonisation process within the dynamics of a changing world.
He noted that the global economic crisis poses a direct threat to many economies in the Territories, including through its negative effect on tourism, a major source of income.
He further noted that the potentially devastating impact of climate change is also of urgent concern, particularly as many of the Non-Self-Governing Territories are small islands.
“Progress in discharging the decolonisation mandate of the Special Committee on Decolonisation will require close cooperation between the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the administering Powers and the Special Committee. The interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories must be at the heart of our efforts.
“I count on the administering Powers in particular to discharge their obligations in a manner that promotes the well-being of the inhabitants of the territories within their responsibility.
The United Nations system will continue to offer assistance to the Non-Self-Governing Territories as appropriate, in areas such as economic and social development, environmental sustainability, healthcare and good governance,” the Secretary-General said in his message.
He also urged the Committee to continue working together to find solutions for the completion of the decolonisation process, with the aim of de-listing additional territories “as we approach the end of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism”.
Streitz stated that the Secretary-General would like to inform all parties concerned that the UN Secretariat stands ready to assist and, in the spirit of partnership, he wishes them a productive and successful seminar.
The theme of the 2009 Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonisation is “Challenges and opportunities in the process of decolonisation in today’s world”. It is aimed at enabling the Special Committee to obtain the views of representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, experts, members of civil society and other stakeholders in the process of decolonisation that can assist the Special Committee in identifying policy approaches and practical ways that can be pursued in the UN decolonisation process.
Discussions at the Seminar will also assist the Special Committee in making a realistic analysis and evaluation of the situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories on a case-by-case basis, as well as the ways in which the UN system and the international community at large could enhance programmes of assistance to the Territories.
The Seminar, which will conclude tomorrow (May 14), is being attended by some 60 representatives from Anguilla, Algeria, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, Morocco, St. Helena, Spain, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, the Comoros, the Russian Federation, the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands, Vatican and host country St. Kitts and Nevis.
