New York (United Nations), June 21, 2025 (SPS) – At the conclusion of its substantive session, which ended on Friday, the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Committee of 24) adopted a series of important resolutions to be submitted to the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
Among these, the Committee unanimously adopted a resolution on the "Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples," reaffirming the General Assembly’s support for the aspirations of peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination, including independence, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions on decolonization.
The Committee also reiterated its endorsement of General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) and all other resolutions and decisions related to decolonization, including General Assembly Resolution 75/123, which declared 2021–2030 the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
It further emphasized the General Assembly’s position that colonialism in all its forms and manifestations is incompatible with the UN Charter, the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Additionally, the Committee unanimously adopted a resolution on "Economic and other activities affecting the interests of the peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories," reaffirming the right of peoples in decolonized territories to self-determination under the UN Charter, General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), and other relevant UN resolutions. The resolution also affirmed their right to own and control their natural resources for their maximum benefit.
The Committee reiterated the General Assembly’s concern over any activities aimed at exploiting the natural and human resources of territories under decolonization and stressed the need to prevent any economic or other activities that harm the interests of these peoples.
During the session, member states from various continents expressed strong and unwavering support for the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, in line with relevant General Assembly resolutions, including Resolution 1514 (XV). They renewed calls to end colonialism in Africa’s last remaining colony.
These states also categorically rejected the expansionist proposals promoted by the occupying Moroccan state and its allies, denouncing them as legally null and void, contrary to both the letter and spirit of the UN Charter, and incompatible with the principle of decolonization upon which the Special Committee was founded.
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