Notes that Tokelau remains firmly committed to the development of self-government and to an act of self-determination that would result in Tokelau assuming a status in accordance with the options on future status for Non-Self-Governing Territories contained in principle VI of the annex to General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960;
2
Welcomes the substantial progress made in the past year towards the devolution of power to the three taupulega (village councils), in particular the delegation of the Administrator’s powers to the three taupulega with effect from 1 July 2004 and the assumption by each taupulega from that date of full responsibility for the management of all its public services;
3
Notes in particular the decision of the General Fono in November 2003, following extensive consultations in all three villages and a meeting of the Special Committee on the Constitution of Tokelau, to explore formally with New Zealand the option of self-government in free association, and the discussions now under way between Tokelau and New Zealand pursuant to the General Fono decision;
4
Notes that the General Fono has endorsed a series of recommendations of the workshop of the Special Committee on the Constitution held in Tokelau in October 2003 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme relating to Tokelau’s Constitution, the role and functioning of the General Fono, the judicial system and international human rights conventions;
5
Acknowledges Tokelau’s initiative in devising a strategic economic development plan for the period 2002–2004 to advance its capacity for self-government;
6
Also acknowledges the continuing assistance that New Zealand has committed to promoting Tokelau’s self-government as well as the cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme;
7
Further acknowledges Tokelau’s need for continued reassurance, given the cultural adjustments that are taking place with the strengthening of its capacity for self-government and, since local resources cannot adequately cover the material side of self-determination, the ongoing responsibility of Tokelau’s external partners to assist Tokelau in balancing its desire to be self-reliant to the greatest extent possible with its need for external assistance;
8
Welcomes the establishment of an international trust fund to support Tokelau’s future development needs, and urges all Member States and international and regional agencies to contribute to the fund and thereby lend practical support to assist this emerging country in overcoming the problems of smallness, isolation and lack of resources;
9
Welcomes the assurance of the Government of New Zealand that it will meet its obligations to the United Nations with respect to Tokelau and abide by the freely expressed wishes of the people of Tokelau with regard to their future status;
10
Also welcomes the cooperative attitude of the other States and territories in the region towards Tokelau, its economic and political aspirations and its increasing participation in regional and international affairs;
11
Further welcomes Tokelau’s associate membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and its recent accession to membership in the Forum Fisheries Agency;
12
Calls uponthe administering Power and United Nations agencies to continue to provide assistance to Tokelau as it further develops its economy and governance structures in the context of its ongoing constitutional evolution;
13
Notes with satisfaction the invitation of the Ulu o Tokelau to the Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to attend the workshop of the Special Committee on the Constitution to be held in October 2004 in the Tokelau Islands;
14
Requeststhe Special Committee to continue to examine the question of the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Tokelau and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session.
