30 October 2018

COOK ISLANDS, AS A FREELY ASSOCIATED STATE, ACCREDITED BY GREEN CLIMATE FUND









Cook Islands receives accreditation 
from 
Green Climate Fund

The Cook Islands can now access climate related finance of up to about $76.3 million (US$50million) per project directly from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The country has become the first nation in the Pacific to be accredited to the fund which was formed to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

Over the weekend, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) was approved as an accredited entity to the fund at the GCF board meeting in Manama, Bahrain.

This means that MFEM can now source direct funding of up to $76.3m from the GCF per project – avoiding the need to go through other accredited entities as has been done in the past – to support projects and programmes addressing climate change in the Cook Islands.

In a statement, Mark Brown, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, expressed his gratitude to the hardworking team based in the country for this milestone achievement.

MFEM has been working on accreditation to the GCF since June, 2016, under the lead of accreditation consultant, Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, the statement added.

The lengthy process involved the need to strengthen internal processes, requiring MFEM to establish an Environmental and Social Safeguards, a Gender Policy and a Grants Awards System within its national financial systems, in order to meet fiduciary standards of the GCF’s accreditation criteria. The Climate Change Cook Islands division (CCCI) of the Office of the Prime Minister, as the country’s focal point to the GCF, assisted the accreditation process in terms of providing guidance. However, it has ultimately been MFEM’s responsibility to ensure that all the requirements of the GCF were met throughout the process.

“I am especially proud of the fact that our application process was done entirely in-house by our small, but very talented team of Cook Islands professionals. They demonstrated that world class capability exists in our small but highly professional organizations,” Brown said.

MFEM are grateful for the readiness support funding received from the GCF to fund GCF staff and the accreditation consultant within the Development Coordination Division of MFEM dedicated to working on its accreditation application.

“The road to accreditation has involved two years of tireless work, but this development is a significant milestone for the Cook Islands,” the statement said.

“MFEM are proud of this milestone as the Cook Islands is the first amongst the Pacific island countries to receive accreditation to the fund as a national direct access entity.”

According to Brown this accreditation will, “assist our country in meeting our carbon emissions reductions and also assist in financing adaptation initiatives to strengthen our country against the impacts of climate change”.

“What we now need is for the wealthy countries that are responsible for carbon emissions to contribute to the fund so that countries like us that are being hurt by their actions can protect ourselves,” he added.

The Cook Islands was also the first country in the region and the first Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to receive financial resources from the fund in 2016.

18 October 2018

VIRGIN ISLANDS SENIOR LEGISLATOR JOINS THE ANCESTORS

Statement By Acting Premier Dr. The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering On The Passing Of Honourable Delores Christopher

16 October 2018 
Good evening.
Today, we received the sad news of the untimely passing of our colleague, the Honourable Delores Christopher. Honourable Christopher was, as those who knew her, an elected official, an entrepreneur but most importantly – she was a true BVI patriot.
She was a true definition of a person who exuded national pride, the true essence of an indigenous Virgin Islander.
Honourable Christopher first became a Public Officer in 1968 when she joined the then Chief Minister’s Office and her love for country over self, led her to remain a Public Officer throughout her lifetime.
In 2003, she was elected as the Representative for the Fifth Electoral District and served as a Government Backbencher. In 2011, she was appointed Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly.
One of the things we would always remember about Honourable Christopher was that she swelled with so much pride in being a BVIslander. She was a woman of many passionate words of these Virgin Islands. She was very politically-minded and advocated for the development of the people of this Territory.
Many will remember Honourable Christopher as one of the founders of the popular Christmas on Main Street annual event. She believed that it is important for us to all know and cherish our legacy. She was also very instrumental in the development and success of the Festival of Arts event held in 2013.
The Honourable Christopher strongly believed that the many vibrant pieces from the annual Emancipation Celebration could be preserved as an added attraction to our tourism product. In fact, she advocated for the construction of a national museum to house artifacts depicting our local history.
The friendship shared between Honourable Christopher and myself go a long way back. We both hail from Long Look. She was a personal friend of my family and I admired her fervor in which she defended this Territory and protected our rights as BVIslanders.
She touched many lives and her passing is a great loss to the Territory. Her contributions to the cultural development and historical preservation of the Territory are invaluable.
Honourable Christopher will long be remembered as a daughter of the soil. We will miss her as a colleague and we will miss her passionate contributions in the House of Assembly.
On behalf of the Government, the people of the Virgin Islands, my wife Alice, and our children, I extend deepest condolences to her husband Robert and the children, Troy, Art and Najan and of course the grandchildren.
May God grant us all comfort during this difficult time.

15 October 2018

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights summoned the United States about the political status of Puerto Rico



By José A. Delgado Robles

The Organization of American States’ advisory group admitted two pro statehood lawsuits and called for a hearing in Colorado on October 5.

Washington - After 12 years, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will reach a decision next month on the complaints filed against the US for violating the human and civil rights of residents in Puerto Rico under the current colonial status.

On October 5, in a public hearing, IACHR will examine the independent complaints filed by attorney Gregorio Igartúa and former Governor Pedro Rosselló against the US for denying the inhabitants of the island the participation in the US Electoral College, which elects the President and representatives with full rights in Congress.


The hearing will be part of the IACHR session period number 169 and will take place at the University of Colorado Law School, in Boulder, headquarter of the meetings scheduled from October 1 to 5.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), with jurisdiction to investigate the compliance with the commitments made by member states in the American Convention on Human Rights.

"I anticipate, with full confidence, that the Commission will prove us right by ruling in our favor and declaring that the US is violating human rights under the international law of their American citizens in Puerto Rico by denying them the right to vote at a federal level for the President and vice president and for representatives and senators before Congress, "said Orlando Vidal, attorney for former Governor Rosselló’s.

The complaints about the lack of participation of Puerto Rico’s residents in the federal government were filed in 2006, three years after the IACHR resolved another similar case in favor of Washington DC, whose residents vote for the US president, pay taxes on income, but have no representation with full rights in Congress.

In 2003, the IACHR determined that the US denies "equal rights" to residents in Washington D.C. "Due to their place of residence", by not granting them full representation in Congress.

Limited reach

Determinations such as IACHR’s in the case of the federal capital are not binding on the US government, as is the case with the expressions of the Special Committee on Decolonization in favor of Puerto Rico’s independence and free determination. 

But they question American democracy.

As in Puerto Rico, little has the political landscape of Washington D.C’s residents changed after IACHR’s decision.

For example, the bills introduced in Congress for Washington D.C. to become the 51 state, which usually have only Democratic support, have never finished the legislative process.

The furthest they have gone was the approval, in 2007, of a measure in the House that sought to give Washington D.C a representative with full rights, that usually supports Democrats, adding another one to the state of Utah, with Republican inclinations. But the legislation never advanced in the US Senate.

Deponents

Former Governor Rosselló and attorney Igartúa will speak at the hearing on October 5. Each one will have about 12 minutes to present their arguments.

Igartúa said that he will reaffirm his position, which he has promoted without success in federal Court, regarding that the US Constitution "has been applied (in Puerto Rico) to such an extent that we are practically a state, what is missing is the right to participate in federal elections."

Under the current territorial status, residents of the island do not have to pay federal income taxes. But Igartúa stated that, nonetheless, through Medicare and Social Security, the inhabitants contribute more to the US Treasury than 15 states.

PUBLICIDAD

In addition to the complainants, a representative of the US government, probably from the US mission before the OAS, will be able to respond to the complaints, and the seven members of the IACHR will have the opportunity to ask questions. The federal government's response would be an opportunity for the Donald Trump administration to interpret how he sees the island's latest local plebiscite, held in June 2017.

"The US government will need to face the reality of Puerto Rico and the violation of rights to which they have subjected the American citizens residing on the island," said, in a written statement, former Governor Rosselló, whose youngest son, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, is now the governor of the island.

In the 2017 plebiscite, statehood obtained 97 percent of the votes. But the consultation took place amid a boycott of the opposition parties and with a turnout of 23 percent.

The government of the New Progressive Party (PNP) has introduced in Congress and the White House, during this federal legislative session, pro-statehood bills by Resident Commissioner in Washington D.C., Jenniffer González.

The most recent on, from June, proposes to create a Congress Working Group to examine the laws that must be changed for Puerto Rico to be the US State 51, in January 2021.

González believes that her legislation, if approved, would incorporate Puerto Rico as a territory, which would be perceived as leading the island towards statehood, while awaiting for the Congress Working Group’s consideration.

Lawyers consulted by El Nuevo Día believe that the language of the legislation does not contain a clear incorporation of the island as a territory. However, as an incorporated territory, Puerto Rico would remain outside the US Electoral College, even though its residents would have to pay income taxes.

The chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Republican Rob Bishop (Utah), told the newspaper last week that he still considers calling a hearing to examine Gonzalez's bill, and said he does not see why it cannot go to a voting in that committee and in the plenary session.

But the issue is not on the federal Senate’s agenda, the session of Congress closes in December and, due to the midterm elections in November, the work schedule is very tight.

Process before IACHR

The complaints that IACHR examines about the political status of Puerto Rico were admitted last March.

The session on October 5 will be the fourth time, in 18 years, that IACHR holds a hearing on issues of the island.

In 2000, IACHR reviewed the violation of human and civil rights because of US military maneuvers in Vieques.

PUBLICIDAD

In March 2015, they hold a hearing on the human rights situation in Puerto Rico, in which civic groups denounced violations against LGBTT communities, immigrants, children, women and the federal insistence on implementing death penalty.

In December 2017, three months after Hurricane Maria’s devastation, a coalition of civic and academic organizations in Puerto Rico denounced to IACHR an alarming increase in poverty, which keeps many people "in inhuman conditions", and urged them to examine the island's crisis on the ground.

Then, Commissioner Margarette May Maculay of Trinidad and Tobago, in charge of US affairs, told the media that they would ask Trump’s government for authorization to send a mission to Puerto Rico to closely examine the human rights situation and poverty on the island.

On January 18, IACHR also expressed concern about what it considered was a "less rapid and efficient" response from the US government in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, compared to other jurisdictions.

Attorney Vidal considers that, after the hearing, IACHR should not take more than one year to decide on the complaints.

"A ruling like this will be another blow to the current political status," said Vidal, referring to PROMESA, which accentuated the colonial situation of the island with the imposition of a Financial Oversight and Management Board, which controls the financial decisions over the elected government, and the decision of the US Supreme Court in the case of Sánchez Valle, that stressed that the ultimate source of power over the country lies in the US Congress.

Status debate

When the US government appeared in the case before IACHR, in April 2011, they maintained that residents in Puerto Rico have repeatedly supported the current status, officially called Commonwealth.

"The results of the voting have not expressed a preference for statehood, the status that would give them the right to federal vote," said Milton Drucker, deputy representative of the US before the OAS.

Later, the government of the island called two plebiscites, which continue to generate controversies.

The other plebiscite was in November 2012, when 54 percent of the voters expressed their opposition to the current territorial status. 61 percent supported statehood in a second question, but if the high number of ballots left blank is considered, as requested by the Governing Board of the Popular Democratic Party, the percentage did not exceed 45 percent.

In January 2014, Congress approved a language that urged Puerto Rico to hold a new referendum, consulting status alternatives with the US Department of Justice.

Beyond radioactivity: how French nuclear tests changed Polynesia forever

Equal Times




“We had to wait inside the shelters until the rain passed,” says Daniel, a local farmer from Mangareva, one of the French Polynesian islands in the Gambier Archipelago, 1,500 kilometres south-east of Tahiti. He describes the drill carried out by French military officers for the island’s 500 residents on 24 August 1968, the day Canopus – a thermonuclear device 150 times stronger than those that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 – went off 400km away.




This was neither the first nor the last time islanders would seek shelter when it rained. Between 1966 and 1996, France conducted 193 nuclear tests in what was then the Overseas Territory of French Polynesia. Forty-six tests were carried out in the atmosphere, the blasts producing radioactive clouds that floated with the winds, depositing radionuclides all over the environment and exposing people, fauna and flora to abnormal levels of irradiation.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.


14 October 2018

FRANCE FACES GLOBAL SCRUTINY OVER POLYNESIA NUCLEAR TESTS



France detonated 200 nuclear bombs in colonies but never answered for it

Licorne test, 1971, French Polynesia. Photo: The Official CTBTO Photostream

TRT WORLD

What will it take for France to take responsibility for its extensive nuclear testing across its colonies and what are the effects of the radioactive legacy they left behind?

French Polynesia has filed a case at the International Criminal Court against France for crimes against humanity, regarding over 193 nuclear tests conducted there over three decades, according to a French Polynesian opposition leader on Tuesday, October 2.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.

10 October 2018

CONSEQUENCES OF FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTING EXPOSED AT U.N.


Licorne test, 1971, French Polynesia. Photo: The Official CTBTO Photostream

French Polynesia Petitioners Blame France for Years of Suffering Fallout from Nuclear Tests, as (U.N.) Fourth Committee Continues Decolonization Debate

Petitioners from the Non-Self-Governing Territory of French Polynesia expressed alarm today over the consequences of France’s nuclear testing in the Pacific region, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) considered decolonization issues for a second day.


Maxime Chan of the Association Te Ora Naho, said France has a duty, in accordance with its own constitution, to remedy the damage it caused in the Territory through nuclear testing. He recalled that 368 instances of radioactive fallout were reported and that radioactive waste was discharged into the ocean, in violation of international rules on such material.

In a similar vein, Taaroanui Maraea, President of the Maòhi Protestant Church of French Polynesia, said that such crimes against humanity have caused untold sickness and death among the Territory’s people. Francois Pihaatae of the Pacific Conference of Churches echoed that sentiment, calling upon the Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur to undertake a fact-finding mission to Ma’ohi Nui ‑ French Polynesia’s indigenous name ‑ saying the Territory continues to face the spill-over effects of the tests.

Many petitioners noted that the impact of French nuclear testing is omitted from United Nations resolutions and working papers. Loïse Panie of the Panie Genealogy Office, said it is disturbing that language was deleted from the relevant General Assembly resolution 72/101, and called for that language to be restored.

Other petitioners from the same region also stressed that France has been able to establish a proxy territorial leadership through a distorted electoral system, with Teumere Atger describing France’s unilateral authority over French Polynesia’s electoral system as a modern colonial arrangement. “This is why we ask the Non‑Aligned Movement member States to stand tall on their principles and to remember: “You have been where we are right now,” stressed Steve Chailloux, another petitioner.

However, Lana Tetuanui, Chair of the French extra-parliamentarian follow-up commission on financial compensation for the victims of nuclear testing, said France took a big step forward by apologizing for its nuclear activities in the region, and called upon all to move forward.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE AT:

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       READ ALSO: 

"Publish French nuclear testing report" - French Polynesia leader to United Nations

05 October 2018

U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW SELF-DETERMINATION PROSPECTS FOR ISLAND DEPENDENCIES


The Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) will convene its 2018 Session on 4th October to review the recommendations to advance the self-determination process for the remaining non self-governing territories including the Caribbean and Pacific dependencies administered by European and North American States. Below are extensive excerpts of the Report of the U.N. Secretary-General on "The Right of Peoples to Self-Determination." 


The report provides a summary of the main developments relating to the realization of the right to self-determination within the framework of the activities of the U.N. The report also includes reference to the consideration of the issue within the framework of the Human Rights Council, both in its resolutions and in the reports submitted to the Council by special procedures mandate holders and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In addition, it includes reference to concluding observations issued by the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which are based on their consideration of periodic reports submitted by the States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in respect of the implementation of the right of all peoples to self-determination guaranteed in common article 1 of the two Covenants.

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EXCERPTS


General Assembly 

 During the reporting period, in addition to its resolution on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination (resolution 72/159), the General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions in which it addressed the issue of self-determination...

In addition, in paragraph 7 (a) of its resolution 72/172, the Assembly affirmed that a democratic and equitable international order required, inter alia, the realization of the right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they could freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

  Non-Self-Governing Territories
. In its resolution 72/92, the General Assembly reaffirmed the right of the peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination and their right to the enjoyment of their natural resources and to dispose of those resources in their best interest. 

It affirmed the value of foreign economic investment undertaken in collaboration with the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and in accordance with their wishes in order to make a valid contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Territories, especially during times of economic and financial crisis. 

It reaffirmed the responsibility of the administering Powers under the Charter to promote the political, economic, social and educational advanceme nt of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and reaffirmed the legitimate rights of their peoples over their natural resources. 

The Assembly reaffirmed its concern about any activities aimed at the exploitation of the natural resources that were the heritage of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, including the indigenous populations, in the Caribbean, the Pacific and other regions, and of their human resources, to the detriment of their interests, and in such a way as to deprive them of their right to dispose of those resources. 

It reaffirmed the need to avoid any economic and other activities that adversely affected the interests of the peoples of the Non Self -Governing Territories, and reminded the administering Powers of their responsibility and accountability vis-à-vis any detriment to the interests of the peoples of those Territories. 

The Assembly invited all Governments and organizations of the United Nations system to take all possible measures to ensure that the permanent sovereignty of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories over their natural resources was fully  respected and safeguarded. 

It urged the administering Powers concerned to take effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable right of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources and to establish and maintain control over the future development of those resources, and requested the administering Powers to take all steps necessary to protect the property rights of the peoples of those Territories. 

In its resolution 72/111, the General Assembly called upon the administering Powers, in accordance with resolutions on decolonization, to take all steps necessary to enable the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to exercise fully, as soon as possible, their right to self-determination, including independence, on a case-by-case basis. 

In its resolution 72/94, the Assembly invited all States to make, or continue to make, offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of those Territories that had not yet attained self-government or independence and, wherever possible, to provide travel funds to prospective students.

American Samoa

In its resolution 72/96 on the question of American Samoa, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of American Samoa to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of American Samoa to determine freely their future political status. 

In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination. 

It took note of the work of the territorial Government with respect to moving forward on political status, local autonomy and self-governance issues with a view to making political and economic progress. 

In its resolution 72/97 on the question of Anguilla, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Anguilla to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Anguilla to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
Bermuda

In its resolution 72/98 on the question of Bermuda, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Bermuda to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Bermuda to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
British Virgin Islands

In its resolution 72/99 on the question of the British Virgin Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.


Cayman Islands

In its resolution 72/100 on the question of the Cayman Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the Cayman Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the Cayman Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.


French Polynesia

In its resolution 72/101 on the question of French Polynesia, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of French Polynesia to self- determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of French Polynesia to determine freely their future political status. 

In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of French Polynesia of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options and to intensify its dialogue with French Polynesia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards a fair and effective self-determination process, under which the terms and timelines for an act of self-determination would be agreed.


Guam

In its resolution 72/102 on the question of Guam, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Guam to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Guam to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination. 

It called once again on the administering Power to take into consideration the expressed will of the Chamorro people as supported by Guam voters in the referendum of 1987 and as subsequently provided for in Guam law regarding Chamorro self-determination efforts, encouraged the administering Power and the territorial Government to enter into negotiations on the matter and stressed the need for continued close monitoring of the overall situation in the Territory.


Montserrat


In its resolution 72/103 on the question of Montserrat, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Montserrat to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Montserrat to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.


New Caledonia

In its resolution 72/104 on the question of New Caledonia, the General Assembly reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of New Caledonia to determine freely and fairly their future political status, and in that connection called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options. 

The Assembly expressed the view that adequate measures for conducting the upcoming consultations on access to full sovereignty, including a just, fair, credible and transparent electoral roll, as provided for in the Nouméa Accord, were essential for the conduct of a free, fair and genuine act of self-determination consistent with the Charter and United Nations principles and practices. In that respect, it welcomed the continuous dialogue undertaken by the parties within the framework of the Committee of Signatories to the Nouméa Accord to establish the parameters for the conduct of a conclusive act of self-determination, including the setting of an electoral roll, as provided for in the Accord. It called upon the administering Power to consider developing an education programme to inform the people of New Caledonia about the nature of self-determination so that they might be better prepared to face a future decision on the matter. 

The Assembly urged all the parties involved, in the interest of the people of New Caledonia and within the framework of the Nouméa Accord, to maintain their dialogue in a spirit of harmony and mutual respect in order to continue to promote a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self-determination in which all options were open and the rights of all sectors of the population would be safeguarded, based on the principle that it was for the people of New Caledonia to choose how to determine their destiny.


Pitcairn

In its resolution 72/105 on the question of Pitcairn, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Pitcairn to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Pitcairn to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination. It welcomed all efforts by the administering Power and the territorial Government to further devolve operational responsibilities to the Territory, with a view to gradually expanding self-government, including through the training of local personnel.

Saint Helena

In its resolution 72/106 on the question of Saint Helena, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Saint Helena to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Saint Helena to determine freely their future political status. 

In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.


Tokelau

In its resolution 72/107 on the question of Tokelau, the General Assembly acknowledged the decision of the General Fono in 2008 that consideration of any future act of self-determination by Tokelau would be deferred. It welcomed the cooperative attitude of the other States and territories in the region towards Tokelau and their support for its economic and political aspirations and its increasing participation in regional and international affairs.


Turks and Caicos

 In its resolution 72/108 on the question of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.


U.S. Virgin Islands

25. In its resolution 72/109 on the question of the United States Virgin Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the United States Virgin Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the United States Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.