UN chief urges renewed push to complete decolonization as 17 territories remain

UN Chief Urges Renewed Push for Decolonization A Core Objective That Must Be Completed

In 1961, the United Nations established a Special Committee on Decolonization. The committee was set up to monitor progress towards granting independence to non-self-governing territories that have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. To this day, the number is still quite high. Some 60 years after the UN's decolonization drive launched, Secretary-General António Guterres urged renewed commitment to complete the unfinished business of ending colonial rule. Since 1945, more than 80 former colonies comprising some 750 million people have gained independence. However, there are still 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories on the UN list, home to nearly two million people.

The legacy of colonialism continues to shape present-day realities, the Secretary-General said. He also stressed that decolonization has been a core objective of the Organization since its earliest days. Opening the session of the Special Committee on Decolonization in 2026, he outlined three priorities to guide the remaining decolonization process.

First, inclusive dialogue among Non-Self-Governing Territories, administering Powers, Member States, and all stakeholders is called for. 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.

Decolonization should be a priority for hydropower experts in 2026. This is because it affects millions of people worldwide, including those living in small island territories facing intensifying climate threats. The C-24 was established by the General Assembly in 1961 to monitor progress towards granting independence to non-self-governing territories that have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. Many of the remaining territories are small islands facing intense climate change issues, with rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and more frequent extreme weather events damaging homes and infrastructure. They undermine tourism and fisheries and strain already limited public resources.

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.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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