Individual Territories

A/RES/64/104[B]View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 39 Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, published in 2010.

What other versions does this mandate have?

7 versions · 1993–2010

Year	Symbol	Title	Word length	Text similarity
2010	A/RES/64/104[B]	Individual territories	—	—
2008	A/RES/62/118[B]	Individual territories	—	—
2007	A/RES/61/128[B]	Individual territories	—	—
1998	A/RES/52/77B	Individual territories	—	—
1996	A/RES/50/38[B]	Individual territories	—	—

What’s in this document?

41 operative paragraphs

A/RES/64/104 [B]

B

I.American Samoa

Welcomes the work of the territorial Government and legislature with regard to the recommendations made by the Future Political Status Study Commission, in preparation for a constitutional convention sometime in 2009, addressing issues related to the future status of American Samoa;

Calls upon the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning the intention of holding a constitutional convention sometime in 2009, if requested;

Stresses the importance of the invitation previously extended to the Special Committee by the Governor of American Samoa to send a visiting mission to the Territory, calls upon the administering Power to facilitate such a mission if the territorial Government so desires, and requests the Chairperson of the Special Committee to take all the steps necessary to that end;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning a public awareness programme recommended by the Future Political Status Study Commission in its 2007 report, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations and, in that regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Welcomes the efforts made by the territorial Government to address employment and cost-of-living issues in various economic sectors;

II.Anguilla

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Anguilla¹⁰ and other relevant information,

¹⁰A/AC.109/2009/11.

Recalling the holding of the 2003 Caribbean regional seminar in Anguilla, hosted by the territorial Government and made possible by the administering Power, the first time that the seminar had been held in a Non-Self-Governing Territory,

Taking note of the statement of the representative of Anguilla at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Taking note also of the internal constitutional review process resumed by the territorial Government in 2006, the work of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission, which prepared its report in August 2006, and the holding of public and other consultative meetings in 2007 on proposed constitutional amendments to be presented to the administering Power, as well as the 2008 decision to set up a drafting team consisting of territorial Government officials, members of the House of Assembly and lawyers to draft a new constitution, to be based on internal self-government for public consultation and subsequent discussion with the administering Power, with the aim of seeking full internal self-government,

Aware that the Government intends to continue its commitment to high-end tourism and the implementation of various regulations in the financial services sector,

Noting the participation of the Territory as an associate member in the Caribbean Community, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,

Welcomes the work of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission and its report of 2006, the holding of a public forum in April 2008 to address constitutional reform issues and the subsequent agreement to seek full internal self-government, short of political independence, and the setting up of a drafting group, with the aim of making recommendations to the administering Power on proposed changes to the Constitution of the Territory, using the concept of internal self-government;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory in its current efforts with regard to advancing the internal constitutional review exercise, if requested;

Stresses the importance of the previously expressed desire of the territorial Government for a visiting mission by the Special Committee, calls upon the administering Power to facilitate such a mission, if the territorial Government so desires, and requests the Chairperson of the Special Committee to take all the necessary steps to that end;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public consultative outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

III.Bermuda

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Bermuda¹¹ and other relevant information,

¹¹A/AC.109/2009/7.

Taking note also of the statement of the representative of Bermuda at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Conscious of the different viewpoints of the political parties on the future status of the Territory, and noting a recent survey by local media on the matter,

Recalling the dispatch of the United Nations special mission to Bermuda in 2005 at the request of the territorial Government and with the concurrence of the administering Power, which provided information to the people of the Territory on the role of the United Nations in the process of self-determination, on the legitimate political status options as clearly defined in General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) and on the experiences of other small States that have achieved a full measure of self-government,

Stresses the importance of the 2005 report of the Bermuda Independence Commission, which provides a thorough examination of the facts surrounding independence, and regrets that the plans for public meetings and the presentation of a Green Paper to the House of Assembly followed by a White Paper outlining the policy proposals for an independent Bermuda have so far not materialized;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public educational outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

IV.British Virgin Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the British Virgin Islands¹² and other relevant information,

¹²A/AC.109/2009/1.

Taking note also of the statement of the representative of the British Virgin Islands at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Recalling the 1993 report of the Constitutional Commissioners, the 1996 debate on the report in the Legislative Council of the Territory, the establishment of the Constitutional Review Commission in 2004, the completion in 2005 of its report providing recommendations on internal constitutional modernization and the debate held in 2005 on the report in the Legislative Council, as well as the negotiations between the administering Power and the territorial Government, which resulted in the adoption of the new Constitution of the Territory in 2007,

Noting that the 2007 Constitution of the British Virgin Islands provides for a Governor, who maintains reserved powers in the Territory, to be appointed by the administering Power,

Noting also the view expressed in the aforementioned statement made by the representative of the British Virgin Islands at the 2009 Caribbean regional seminar, that, building on the conclusion of the recent internal constitutional modernization exercise, the Territory’s focus was on economic development prior to a search for independence,

Noting further the impact of the global financial crisis on the Territory’s financial and tourism services sectors,

Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory,

Welcomes the new Constitution of the British Virgin Islands, which took effect in June 2007, and notes the continued need expressed by the territorial Government for minor constitutional amendments in the years to come;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations and, in that regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Welcomes the efforts made by the Territory to focus its economic base more on local ownership and on professional service industries other than financial services;

V.Cayman Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the Cayman Islands¹³ and other relevant information,

¹³A/AC.109/2009/8.

Aware of the 2002 report of the Constitutional Modernization Review Commission, which contained a draft constitution for the consideration of the people of the Territory, the 2003 draft constitution offered by the administering Power and the subsequent discussions between the Territory and the administering Power in 2003, and the reopening of discussions between the administering Power and the territorial Government on internal constitutional modernization, in 2006, which resulted in the finalization of a new draft constitution in February 2009 and its subsequent acceptance by referendum in May 2009,

Noting with interest the establishment of the Cayman Islands Constitutional Review Secretariat, which began its work in March 2007 in support of the Territory’s constitution modernization initiative, which comprises four phases with regard to constitutional reform, including research and publicity, consultation and public education, a referendum on reform proposals, and negotiations between the administering Power and the territorial Government,

Welcoming the participation of the Territory as a new associate member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,

Acknowledging the indication by the territorial Government that certain cost-of-living issues, such as inflation, continue to be cause for concern,

Welcomes the finalization of a new draft constitution in February 2009 and its subsequent acceptance by referendum in May 2009;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public awareness outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Welcomes the efforts made by the territorial Government to address cost-of-living issues in various economic sectors;

VI.Guam

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Guam¹⁴ and other relevant information,

¹⁴A/AC.109/2009/16.

Aware that under United States law the relations between the territorial Government and the federal Government in all matters that are not the programme responsibility of another federal department or agency are under the general administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior,¹⁵

¹⁵United States Congress, Organic Act of Guam, 1950, as amended.

Recalling that, in a referendum held in 1987, the registered and eligible voters of Guam endorsed a draft Guam Commonwealth Act that would establish a new framework for relations between the Territory and the administering Power, providing for a greater measure of internal self-government for Guam and recognition of the right of the Chamorro people of Guam to self-determination for the Territory,

Recalling also the previously expressed requests by the elected representatives and non-governmental organizations of the Territory that Guam not be removed from the list of the Non-Self-Governing Territories with which the Special Committee is concerned, pending the self-determination of the Chamorro people and taking into account their legitimate rights and interests,

Aware that negotiations between the administering Power and the territorial Government on the draft Guam Commonwealth Act ended in 1997 and that Guam has subsequently established a non-binding plebiscite process for a self-determination vote by the eligible Chamorro voters,

Cognizant of the importance that the administering Power continues to implement its programme of transferring surplus federal land to the Government of Guam,

Noting that the people of the Territory have called for reform in the programme of the administering Power with respect to the thorough, unconditional and expeditious transfer of land property to the people of Guam,

Aware of deep concerns expressed by civil society and others, including at the meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the General Assembly in October 2008, regarding the potential social and other impacts of the impending transfer of additional military personnel of the administering Power to the Territory,

Aware also of the austerity and fiscal measures undertaken by the territorial Government since 2007, when the Governor declared a financial “state of emergency”, and of subsequent developments,

Conscious that immigration into Guam has resulted in the indigenous Chamorros becoming a minority in their homeland,

Calls once again upon 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, and encourages the administering Power and the territorial Government to enter into negotiations on the matter;

Requests the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government, to continue to transfer land to the original landowners of the Territory, to continue to recognize and to respect the political rights and the cultural and ethnic identity of the Chamorro people of Guam and to take all measures necessary to address the concerns of the territorial Government with regard to the question of immigration;

Also requests the administering Power to cooperate in establishing programmes for the sustainable development of the economic activities and enterprises of the Territory, noting the special role of the Chamorro people in the development of Guam;

Recalls the request made previously by the elected Governor to the administering Power to lift restrictions to allow for foreign airlines to transport passengers between Guam and the United States of America to provide for a more competitive market and increased visitor arrivals;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating public outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

VII.Montserrat

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Montserrat¹⁶ and other relevant information,

¹⁶A/AC.109/2009/6.

Taking note also of the statement of the representative of Montserrat at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Recalling the 2002 report of the Constitutional Review Commission, the convening of a committee of the House of Assembly in 2005 to review the report and the subsequent discussions between the administering Power and the territorial Government on internal constitutional advancement and devolution of power,

Noting that the negotiating process with the administering Power on a draft constitution giving greater autonomy to the territorial Government proceeded during 2008, and that, since March 2009, the administering Power has accorded stronger emphasis to the redevelopment of the Territory,

Aware that Montserrat continues to receive budgetary aid from the administering Power for the operation of the territorial Government,

Recalling the statements made by participants at the 2007 Caribbean regional seminar encouraging the administering Power to commit sufficient resources to meet the Territory’s special needs,

Noting with concern the continued consequences of the volcanic eruption, which led to the evacuation of three quarters of the Territory’s population to safe areas of the island and to areas outside the Territory, which continues to have enduring consequences for the economy of the island,

Acknowledging the continued assistance provided to the Territory by States members of the Caribbean Community, in particular Antigua and Barbuda, which has offered safe refuge and access to educational and health facilities, as well as employment for thousands who have left the Territory,

Noting the continuing efforts of the administering Power and the territorial Government to deal with the consequences of the volcanic eruption,

Welcomes the efforts of the territorial Government to continue to negotiate improvements to the Constitution of the Territory so as to preserve its ability to move towards full self-government, notes the efforts of the administering Power to support the redevelopment of the Territory, and encourages them to mutually reinforce their efforts;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Calls upon the administering Power, the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and other organizations, to continue to provide assistance to the Territory in alleviating the consequences of the volcanic eruption;

VIII.Pitcairn

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Pitcairn¹⁷ and other relevant information,

¹⁷A/AC.109/2009/3.

Taking into account the unique character of Pitcairn in terms of population and area,

Noting that the internal review of the Constitution of the Territory is still deferred,

Aware that the administering Power and the territorial Government are in the process of restructuring the relationship between the Governor’s Office and the territorial Government, based on consultations with the people of the Territory, and that Pitcairn continues to receive budgetary aid from the administering Power for the operation of the territorial Government,

Welcomes all efforts by the administering Power that would devolve operational responsibilities to the territorial Government, with a view to expanding self-government;

Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Also requests the administering Power to continue its assistance for the improvement of the economic, social, educational and other conditions of the population of the Territory and to continue its discussions with the territorial Government on how best to support economic security in Pitcairn;

IX.Saint Helena

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Saint Helena¹⁸ and other relevant information,

¹⁸A/AC.109/2009/5.

Taking note also of the statement of the representative of Saint Helena at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Taking into account the unique character of Saint Helena in terms of its population, geography and natural resources,

Noting the internal constitutional review process led by the territorial Government since 2001, the completion of a draft constitution following negotiations between the administering Power and the territorial Government in 2003 and 2004, the consultative poll with regard to a new Constitution, held in Saint Helena in May 2005, the subsequent preparation of a revised draft constitution and its publication in June 2008 for further public consultation, and the entry into force of the new Constitution for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha on 1 September 2009,

Noting in that regard the importance of the right to nationality for Saint Helenians and their previously expressed request that the right, in principle, be included in a new constitution,

Aware that Saint Helena continues to receive budgetary aid from the administering Power for the operation of the territorial Government,

Aware also of the efforts of the administering Power and the territorial Government to improve the socio-economic conditions of the population of Saint Helena, in particular in the areas of employment and transport and communications infrastructure,

Noting the efforts of the Territory to address the problem of unemployment on the island and the joint action of the administering Power and the territorial Government in dealing with it,

Noting also the importance of improving the infrastructure and accessibility of Saint Helena,

Noting in this regard the administering Power’s decision in December 2008 to pause the negotiations on the Saint Helena airport,

Welcomes the entry into force of the Territory’s new Constitution on 1 September 2009;

Requests the administering Power and relevant international organizations to continue to support the efforts of the territorial Government to address the Territory’s socio-economic development challenges, including unemployment, and limited transport and communications infrastructure;

Notes the decision by the administering Power to consult on whether an airport is the most appropriate option for access to Saint Helena in the current economic climate, and calls upon the administering Power to take into account the unique geographical character of Saint Helena in the process of consultation;

X.Turks and Caicos Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the Turks and Caicos Islands¹⁹ and other relevant information,

¹⁹A/AC.109/2009/10.

Taking note also of the statement of the representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Recalling the dispatch of the United Nations special mission to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2006, at the request of the territorial Government and with the concurrence of the administering Power,

Recalling also the 2002 report of the Constitutional Modernization Review Body, and acknowledging the Constitution agreed between the administering Power and the territorial Government, which entered into force in 2006,

Noting that the 2006 Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands provides for a Governor, who maintains reserved powers in the Territory, to be appointed by the administering Power,

Noting also the administering Power’s decision to suspend parts of the 2006 Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands, covering the constitutional right to trial by jury, ministerial Government, and the House of Assembly, following the recommendations of an independent Commission of Inquiry and the ruling of the administering Power’s Court of Appeal,

Acknowledging the impact that the global financial crisis has had on tourism and related real estate development, the mainstays of the Territory’s economy,

Recalls the Constitution of the Territory, which took effect in 2006, and notes the view of the former territorial Government that there remains scope for a degree of delegation of the Governor’s power to the Territory so as to secure greater autonomy;

Notes with concern the ongoing situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and also notes the efforts of the administering Power to restore good governance and sound financial management in the Territory;

Calls for restoration of constitutional arrangements providing for representative democracy through elected territorial Government as soon as possible;

Welcomes the continuing efforts made by the Government addressing the need for attention to be paid to the enhancement of social cohesion across the Territory;

XI.United States Virgin Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the United States Virgin Islands²⁰ and other relevant information,

²⁰A/AC.109/2009/14.

Aware that under United States law the relations between the territorial Government and the federal Government in all matters not the programme responsibility of another federal department or agency are under the general administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior,²¹

²¹United States Congress, Revised Organic Act, 1954.

Aware also of the ongoing Constitutional Convention, the fifth attempt of the Territory to review the existing Revised Organic Act, which organizes its internal governance arrangements, as well as the various related efforts in implementing a public education programme on the constitution, as outlined in a statement by a participant from the Territory presented at the Caribbean regional seminar, held in Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis, from 12 to 14 May 2009,

Cognizant that the draft constitution is expected to be finalized by the territorial Government in 2009 and forwarded to the administering Power for review and action,

Cognizant also of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory,

Welcomes the establishment of the Constitutional Convention in 2007, and requests the administering Power to assist the territorial Government in achieving its political, economic and social goals, in particular the successful conclusion of the ongoing internal Constitutional Convention exercise;

Requests the administering Power to facilitate the process for approval of the territorial draft constitution in the United States Congress, once agreed upon by the territorial Government;

Also requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning a public education programme, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this regard, calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Reiterates its call for the inclusion of the Territory in regional programmes of the United Nations Development Programme, consistent with the participation of other Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 23 and corrigendum (A/64/23 and Corr.2), chap. IX.

Resolution 1514 (XV).

A/56/61, annex.

See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.

A/AC.109/2009/1, 3-8, 10, 11, 14 and 16.

A/64/70.