THE United Nations remains committed to eradicating colonialism through ongoing support and coordination with territories and administering powers.
More than 60 years after the UN launched its formal decolonisation drive, earlier this month, Secretary-General António Guterres urged a renewed commitment to completing the unfinished business of ending colonial rule.
Opening the 2026 session of the Special Committee on Decolonisation, known as the C-24, Guterres, in remarks delivered by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, stressed that decolonisation has been a core objective of the Organisation “since its earliest days.”
“This Organization was created as a place where nations could meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled.
Guterres cautioned that the legacy of colonialism continues to shape present-day realities.
“The legacy of colonialism has left profound scars through deeply rooted mechanisms of economic exploitation, as well as in the form of racism, inequality and persistent exclusion from the decision-making bodies,” he said.
The UN has engaged in decolonisation efforts worldwide, focusing now on 17 non-self-governing territories (NSGTs) as of 2020.
These territories are mainly small islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific, facing unique challenges such as sea-level rise and natural disasters.
The UN urges all parties, including the reducing powers, NSGTs, member states, and the Special Committee on Decolonisation, to actively participate in the process.
The goal remains the complete eradication of colonialism through cooperation and pragmatic approaches.
Historical context and UN charter provisions
Chapter 11 of the UN Charter mandates administering powers to promote self-government and report annually to the Secretary-General.
The Declaration on Decolonisation (Resolution 1514) and subsequent resolutions guide the paths for self-determination, including independence, free association, or integration.
The C24 will now monitor NSGTs and advise the General Assembly. C24 plays a central role in monitoring territories, facilitating dialogue, and recommending actions to advance decolonisation.
C24 holds monthly regional seminars in the Pacific or Caribbean for detailed discussions on decolonisation.
An annual substantive session in June in New York reviews territorial situations and gathers input from NSGTs, administering powers, and petitioners.
Recommendations from C24 feed into the Fourth Committee and then the General Assembly for resolutions on decolonisation.
The C24 also involves UN agencies and international organisations to provide institutional support for NSGTs.
With the administering powers’ consent, the C24 dispatches visiting missions to territories for firsthand assessments.
An example is the 2019 mission to Montserrat, which is recovering from volcanic eruptions, highlighting the need for tailored support.
These missions meet with local government and civil society to identify needs and inform UN recommendations.
The General Assembly encourages at least one visiting mission annually to strengthen support and oversight.
Decolonisation progress and challenges
Despite major progress since WWII, significant challenges remain in supporting the remaining territories in their pursuit of self-governance.
Population and territory changes over time, and at UN inception, 750 million people, about a third of the world, lived in dependent territories.
By 2020, this number had dropped to nearly 2 million, reflecting significant advances in decolonisation.
The remaining populations mostly reside on small islands that face economic and environmental vulnerabilities.
This demographic shift underscores both progress and the continuing need for focused UN intervention.
The UN maintains decolonisation as a core mission, emphasising determination, perseverance, and cooperation.
The evolving geopolitical and environmental contexts require pragmatic and adaptive strategies.
Continued coordination among UN bodies and member states is critical to advance self-determination.
The aim is to achieve full independence or appropriate political status for all NSGTs.