The speech, read by the head of the Secretary-General's office, Kortenay Rattray, reminded that decolonization remains one of the UN's most important tasks since its inception.
According to information from the UN News Service, since 1945, more than a hundred countries have become independent, and more people have the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination. However, the consequences of colonialism continue to affect levels of economic inequality, racism, and the limited participation of some peoples in international decisions.
The UN emphasizes the need for inclusive dialogue among representatives of territories, administering powers, and UN member states, taking into account the unique needs of each territory and adhering to the UN Charter and the resolutions of the General Assembly. The Secretary-General also highlighted the important role of youth in shaping a more just and inclusive future.
Climate change has been identified as one of the main challenges. Non-self-governing territories, primarily small islands, are particularly vulnerable to threats related to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather conditions. The UN calls for the inclusion of issues of sustainability and adaptation to climate change at the center of international discussions.
This day served as a reminder that despite the progress made, the work towards completing decolonization is still far from finished.
The main page features an illustrative photo: UNICEF / V. Sokhin (Children playing near the island of Fakaofo in the Tokelau archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Tokelau is a dependent territory of New Zealand).
