United Nations Monitoring Desk Islamabad by Editor Tazeen Akhtar
More than 60 years after the UN launched its formal decolonization drive, Secretary-General António Guterres on 23 Feb 2026 urged renewed commitment to completing the unfinished business of ending colonial rule.
Since 1945, more than 80 former colonies comprising some 750 million people have gained independence. However, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain on the UN list, home to nearly two million people.
They range from Western Sahara in Africa to small island territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Astonishingly, the committee does not consider Jammu and Kashmir and Taiwan as Non Self Governing / Occupied territories whereas Pakistan fights for Jammu Kashmir at every forum in the world including UN. It is the oldest and firsevery dispute on the agenda of UN with Security Council’s resolutions that it is not part of India and a plebscite would be held in which the people of the territory will decide their future.
Taiwan is claimed by China as its integral part. China is permanent member of Security Council. China took control of another occupied territory Hong Kong from Britain in the past.
Opening the 2026 session of the Special Committee on Decolonization – known as the C-24 – the Secretary-General, in remarks delivered by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, stressed that decolonization has been a core objective of the Organization “since its earliest days.”
“This Organization was created as a place where nations could meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled,” he said.
Yet, Mr. 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 C-24 was established by the General Assembly in 1961 to monitor progress towards granting independence to territories that have not yet attained “a full measure of self-government,” as defined under Chapter XI of the UN Charter. Its mandate stems from the landmark 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
Intensifying Climate Threats
Many of the remaining territories are small islands facing intensifying climate threats. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion and more frequent extreme weather events are damaging homes and infrastructure, undermining tourism and fisheries, and straining already limited public resources.
“The majority of the Territories are small islands,” he noted, urging the Special Committee to place “resilience and adaptation at the heart of your discussions.”
Call for inclusive dialogue
The Secretary-General outlined three priorities to guide the remaining decolonization process.
First, he called for “inclusive dialogue among Non-Self-Governing Territories, administering Powers, Member States, and all stakeholders,” stressing that each case must be addressed individually and “in accordance with the UN Charter, the 1960 Declaration, and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.”
Second, he underscored “the central role of young people,” saying that “the vision and leadership of the next generation is vital to building a productive and inclusive future.”
Third, he highlighted the urgency of climate action, particularly for island territories confronting existential risks.
Non Self Governing Territories (Occupied)
Under Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations, the Non-Self-Governing Territories are defined as “territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government”. The General Assembly, by its resolution 66 (I) of 14 December 1946, noted a list of 72 Territories to which Chapter XI of the Charter applied. In 1963, the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (also known as the “Special Committee on Decolonization” or the “C-24”) approved a preliminary list of Territories to which the Declaration applied (A/5446/Rev.1, annex I). Today, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, as listed below, remain on the agenda of the C-24. Member States which have or assume responsibilities for the administration of such Territories are called administering Powers.
10 out of 17 are under UK’s administration/occupation. 3 United States, 2 France and One Newzealand. Only one is in Africa that remained the worst foreign occupied continent in the past. Here only one Non Self Governing territory is situated that is West Sahara. It is under the administration/occupation of Morocco but UN has not mentioned the name of Morocco in the list. It is unique and special because otherwise every administrating / occupant country has been mentioned.
Text of Address of UN Secretary General
Secretary General , in his address, said, Decolonization has been an objective of the United Nations since its earliest days. This Organization was created as a place where nations could meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled. Our world has come a long way, with well over 100 nations gaining independence since 1945. More people than ever now enjoy the right and the dignity of self-determination.
” 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, Mr. Guterres said.
He said, today, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain. Three priorities must guide their destiny:
First, inclusive dialogue among Non-Self-Governing Territories, administering Powers, Member States, and all stakeholders.
This process must be steered by the unique aspirations and needs of each Territory, and take place on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the UN Charter, the Declaration on Decolonization, and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.
Second, the central role of young people. The vision and leadership of the next generation is vital to building a productive and inclusive future.
Third, the urgent need for climate action.
He said, the majority of the Territories are small islands, where rising sea levels, coastal erosion and more frequent extreme weather are exacting a heavy toll. I urge you to place resilience and adaptation at the heart of your discussions.
” In December, we proudly marked the first International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations. While much has changed for the better, work remains to be done. Let us continue to work tirelessly, and as one, to advance decolonization for all, Secretary General concluded.
