This animation video, produced in accordance with the mandate for dissemination of information on decolonization, highlights the UN’s path of decolonization since 1945, especially its commitment in eradicating colonialism towards our common future.
Since then, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence. Among them, all 11 Trust Territories have achieved self-determination through independence or free association with an independent State. Former Non-Self-Governing Territories ceased to be on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories due to their change in status or as a result of their choice of independence, free association or integration with an independent State. Today, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining and fewer than 2 million people live in such Territories.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) advises the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence of Colonial Countries and Peoples (also known as the “Special Committee on Decolonization” or “C-24”), whose role is to monitor implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)) and to make recommendations to the General Assembly on its application.
Among its functions, DPPA's Decolonization Unit:
- Monitors political, economic and social developments in each of the 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories on the United Nations list, and prepares annual working papers on each Territory;
- Provides substantive advice for the C-24 and the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the General Assembly, where representatives and petitioners from the Territories speak about the concerns and aspirations of their people;
- Provides political advice for the C-24 on visiting missions to Territories, as well as for annual regional seminars held alternately in the Pacific and the Caribbean, bringing together representatives of the Territories, members of the C-24, administering Powers and other stakeholders;
- Maintains the website entitled “The United Nations and Decolonization” in the 6 official UN languages; and
- Works with the Department of Global Communications in the preparation of informational materials for the Territories, explaining the options available to them in moving forward full self-government based on the Charter of the United Nations.