Individual Territories [Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]

A/RES/70/102[B]View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 63 Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, published in 2015.

What other versions does this mandate have?

6 versions · 2011–2015

Year	Symbol	Title	Word length	Text similarity
2015	A/RES/70/102[B]	Individual territories [questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]	—	—
2014	A/RES/69/105[B]	Individual territories [questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]	—	—
2013	A/RES/68/95[B]	Individual territories [questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]	—	—
2013	A/RES/67/132[B]	Individual territories [questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]	—	—
2012	A/RES/66/89[B]	Individual territories [questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands]	—	—

What subjects does this mandate have?

14 subjects

American Samoa Question Anguilla Question Bermuda Question British Virgin Islands Question Cayman Islands Question Decolonization Guam Question Montserrat Question Non-Self-Governing Territories Pitcairn Question Saint Helena Question Self-Determination of Peoples Turks and Caicos Islands Question United States Virgin Islands Question

What’s in this document?

54 operative paragraphs

A/RES/70/102 [B]

B

I.American Samoa

Welcomes 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 and in particular the announcement of a dialogue among the people of American Samoa on the Territory’s future political status;

Acknowledges the indication by the territorial Government that American Samoa should remain on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, under the purview 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, until such time as its people have exercised their right to self-determination;

Expresses its appreciation for the invitation extended in 2015 by the Governor of American Samoa to the Special Committee 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 Chair 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, 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;

Calls upon the administering Power to assist the territorial Government in the diversification and sustainability of the economy of the Territory and to address employment and cost-of-living issues;

II.Anguilla

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Anguilla¹³ and other relevant information,

¹³A/AC.109/2015/14.

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,

Recalling also the statement made by the representative of Anguilla at the Pacific regional seminar held in Quito from 30 May to 1 June 2012 that the people of the Territory were concerned that they were being denied the full range of decolonization options under a drafting exercise that began in 2011,

Aware of the follow-up meeting, held after the 2012 Pacific regional seminar, between the Chair of the Special Committee and the Chief Minister of Anguilla, who reiterated the urgent need for a visiting mission,

Noting 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, the holding of public and other consultative meetings in 2007 on proposed constitutional amendments to be presented to the administering Power, the decisions taken in 2008 and 2011 to set up a drafting team to prepare a new constitution and present it for public consultation in the Territory and the recent efforts undertaken in that regard,

Noting also the participation of the Territory as a member in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council and an associate member in the Caribbean Community, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,

Taking note of the general elections which took place in April 2015,

Welcomes the preparations made for a new constitution, and urges that constitutional discussions with the administering Power, including public consultations, be concluded as soon as possible;

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 Chair 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, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Calls upon the administering Power to assist the territorial Government in strengthening its commitments in the economic domain, including budgetary matters, with regional support as needed and appropriate;

Welcomes the active participation of the Territory in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

III.Bermuda

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Bermuda¹⁴ and other relevant information,

¹⁴A/AC.109/2015/6.

Aware of the statement made by the representative of Bermuda at the Pacific regional seminar held in Quito from 30 May to 1 June 2012,

Conscious of the different viewpoints of the political parties on the future status of the Territory, and noting the results of successive surveys by local media, according to which a majority of respondents did not wish to sever ties with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the administering Power, and a minority was in favour of independence,

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) of 15 December 1960 and on the experiences of other small States that have achieved a full measure of self-government,

Noting serious concerns regarding good governance, transparency and accountability in the Territory, including with respect to external election campaign financing originating in a neighbouring country, which led the Premier to resign in May 2014 with a view to maintaining integrity and confidence in the political landscape,

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

Stresses the importance of the 2005 report of the Bermuda Independence Commission, which provides a thorough examination of the facts surrounding independence, and continues to regret 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;

Underlines the need further to strengthen good governance, transparency and accountability in government for the benefit of the Territory;

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, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Welcomes the active participation of Bermuda in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

IV.British Virgin Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the British Virgin Islands¹⁵ and other relevant information,

¹⁵A/AC.109/2015/7.

Recalling the statement made by the representative of the British Virgin Islands at the Caribbean regional seminar held in Quito from 28 to 30 May 2013 that, while the Territory’s relationship with the administering Power was stable and not problematic, it could be enhanced,

Aware of the negative impact of the global economic slowdown on the growth of the financial and tourism services sectors of the Territory,

Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory and of the Territory’s membership in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council,

Taking note of the general elections which took place in June 2015,

Recalls the 2007 Constitution of the British Virgin Islands, and stresses the importance of continued discussions on constitutional matters, to accord greater responsibility to the territorial Government for the effective implementation of the Constitution and increased levels of education relating to constitutional matters;

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

Welcomes the active participation of the Territory in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

Recalls the holding, in March 2014, of the meeting of the Inter-Virgin Islands Council between the Territory and the United States Virgin Islands;

V.Cayman Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the Cayman Islands¹⁶ and other relevant information,

¹⁶A/AC.109/2015/8.

Conscious of the statement made by the representative of the territorial Government at the 2010 Pacific regional seminar held in Nouméa,

Aware of the work, in accordance with the 2009 Constitution, of the Constitutional Commission, which serves as an advisory body on constitutional matters,

Aware also that, in spite of the global economic downturn, the tourism sector continued to be one of the key drivers for economic growth and that the financial services sector reportedly continued to bring about slight growth in 2014,

Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory and of the Territory’s membership in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council,

Recalls the 2009 Constitution of the Cayman Islands, and stresses the importance of the work of the Constitutional Commission, including its work on human rights education;

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, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Welcomes the active participation of the Territory in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

Also welcomes the efforts made by the territorial Government to continue to implement financial sector management policies, medical tourism initiatives and unemployment alleviation programmes in various economic sectors;

VI.Guam

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Guam¹⁷ and other relevant information,

¹⁷A/AC.109/2015/4.

Noting the statement made by the representative of the Governor of Guam at the Caribbean regional seminar held in Managua from 19 to 21 May 2015, in which he presented an update on the efforts of Guam towards decolonization, including by securing funding for the public education programme on self-determination, and on the engagement of the Guam Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Chamorro Self-Determination in reinforcing public awareness in order to address the limited and distorted understanding of decolonization,

Noting also the concern expressed by the representative of the Governor about the reinstatement of a lawsuit challenging the voting restrictions for the Territory’s plebiscite on self-determination,

Cognizant of the efforts made by the Guam Commission on Decolonization to promote in the Territory the holding of a plebiscite on self-determination, to populate the decolonization registry, as required by public law, to enhance the ability to expediently register those who have not yet been registered and to identify and secure territorial and federal resources for a self-determination education programme,

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,¹⁸

¹⁸United 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,

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 of the administering Power continuing 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 the deep concern expressed by civil society and other parties regarding the potential social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of the planned transfer of additional military personnel of the administering Power to the Territory,

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

Welcomes the convening of the Guam Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Chamorro Self-Determination and its ongoing work on a self-determination vote, as well as its public education efforts;

Stresses that the decolonization process in Guam should be compatible with the Charter of the United Nations, the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and PeoplesError: Reference source not found and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;¹⁹

¹⁹Resolution 217 A (III).

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, encourages the administering Power and the territorial Government to enter into negotiations on the matter, and stresses the need for continued close monitoring of the overall situation in the Territory;

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 assist the Territory by facilitating public outreach efforts, including through the funding of the public education campaign, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested, and welcomes the recent outreach work by the territorial Government;

Further 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;

VII.Montserrat

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Montserrat²⁰ and other relevant information,

²⁰A/AC.109/2015/9.

Noting with concern the continuing consequences of the 1995 volcanic eruption which led to the evacuation of three quarters of the population of the Territory to safe areas of the island and to areas outside the Territory and which continues to have enduring consequences for the economy of the island,

Acknowledging the continuing 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,

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

Taking note of the letter dated 2 June 2015 from the Premier of Montserrat addressed to the Chair of the Special Committee, requesting to address the Special Committee in order to share the concerns of his Government regarding some situations that affect the lives of Montserratians,

Noting the importance of improving the infrastructure and accessibility of Montserrat, as conveyed by the Premier of Montserrat to the Chair of the Special Committee in their meeting on 11 May 2015,

Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory and of the Territory’s membership in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council,

Recalls the 2011 Constitution of Montserrat and the work of the territorial Government with respect to moving forward to consolidate the gains provided for in the Constitution;

Welcomes the Territory’s participation in the work of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

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 Pitcairn²¹ and other relevant information,

²¹A/AC.109/2015/5.

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

Aware that the administering Power and the territorial Government have implemented a governance structure to strengthen administrative capacity in the Territory, 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,

Cognizant that the administering Power and the territorial Government have developed a five-year strategic development plan, covering the period from 2012 to 2016, that sets out the views and aspirations of the people of the Territory for the socioeconomic development of the Territory,

Aware of the assessment made in 2013 that the population of the Territory needs to be boosted if the Territory is to have a sustainable future and of the approval by the Pitcairn Island Council of an immigration policy and the repopulation plan, covering the period from 2014 to 2019, designed to promote immigration and repopulation and bring people with the necessary skills and commitment to Pitcairn,

Noting with concern the findings contained in the final report on the survey commissioned by the Pitcairn Island Council to ascertain whether members of the diaspora had any interest in returning to the Territory and the factors conditioning a decision,

Welcomes all efforts by the administering Power and the territorial Government that would further devolve operational responsibilities to the Territory, with a view to gradually expanding self-government, including through the training of local personnel;

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 socioeconomic and environmental security in Pitcairn, including as regards demographic matters;

Welcomes the work carried out on the preparation of the five-year strategic development plan for the island;

IX.Saint Helena

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on Saint Helena²² and other relevant information,

²²A/AC.109/2015/1.

Taking note also of the statement made by the representative of Saint Helena at the Caribbean regional seminar held in Managua from 19 to 21 May 2015 that the Territory had no aspiration to independence and had been able to have a formal form of government,

Noting the concerns expressed by the representative of Saint Helena about the potential negative impacts of the construction of the airport, including the growing number of expatriate families settling in the Territory and the lack of a specific plan to operate an air route or sea link between Saint Helena and neighbouring islands,

Noting also the information provided by the representative of Saint Helena that, although human rights provisions are enshrined in the 2009 Constitution of Saint Helena, some international instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women²³ and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,²⁴ have not yet been extended to the Territory,

²³United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1249, No. 20378.

²⁴Ibid., vol. 2515, No. 44910.

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

Recalling the fact that, in January 2013, following a resolution passed in September 2012 by the Legislative Council to undertake minor adjustments to the 2009 Constitution, a public consultation process was launched,

Aware that a consultative poll was held in March 2013, with the majority opting for no change to the Constitution, and that, for the first time, a general election based on one constituency was held in July 2013,

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

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

Stresses the importance of the 2009 Constitution of the Territory and the further development of democratic and good governance;

Requests the administering Power and relevant international organizations to continue to support the efforts of the territorial Government to address the socioeconomic development challenges of the Territory;

X.Turks and Caicos Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the Turks and Caicos Islands²⁵ and other relevant information,

²⁵A/AC.109/2015/11.

Taking note also of the statement made by the representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Caribbean regional seminar held in Managua from 19 to 21 May 2015,

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,

Noting the decision of the administering Power to suspend parts of the 2006 Constitution, the subsequent presentation of a draft constitution for public consultation in 2011 and the introduction of a new constitution for the Territory, as well as the election of a new territorial Government in 2012,

Aware that the 2014 report of the Constitutional Review Committee, which was submitted to and considered by the House of Assembly, is under consideration by the administering Power,

Recalling that, in March 2014, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community received an update on the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which they will continue to monitor, and that they expressed their support for the full restoration of democracy in the Territory on terms driven by its people,

Acknowledging the impact that the global economic slowdown and other relevant developments have had on tourism and related real estate development, which are the mainstays of the economy of the Territory,

Reiterates its support for the full restoration of democracy in the Territory and for the work of the Constitutional Review Committee in that regard, and notes the efforts of the administering Power to restore good governance, including through the introduction in 2011 of a new constitution and the holding of elections in November 2012, and sound financial management in the Territory;

Notes the positions and repeated calls of the Caribbean Community and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries in support of a democratically elected territorial Government and of the full restoration of democracy in the Territory as decided by its people;

Also notes the continuing debate on constitutional reform within the Territory, and stresses the importance of participation by all groups and interested parties in the consultation process;

Stresses the importance of having in place in the Territory a constitution that reflects the aspirations and wishes of its people, based on the mechanisms for popular consultation;

Welcomes the active participation of the Territory in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

Also welcomes the continuing efforts made by the territorial Government addressing the need for attention to be paid to the enhancement of socioeconomic development across the Territory;

XI.United States Virgin Islands

Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the United States Virgin Islands²⁶ and other relevant information,

²⁶A/AC.109/2015/10.

²⁷United States Congress, Revised Organic Act, 1954.

Aware also of the fifth attempt of the Territory to review the existing Revised Organic Act, which organizes its internal governance arrangements, as well as its requests to the administering Power and the United Nations system for assistance to its public education programme,

Cognizant that a draft constitution was proposed in 2009 and subsequently forwarded to the administering Power, which in 2010 requested the Territory to consider its objections to the draft constitution,

Cognizant also that the Fifth Revision Convention, established and convened in 2012, was mandated to ratify and approve the final revised draft constitution,

Noting the holding of elections in the Territory in November 2014,

Aware of the closing of the Hovensa plant, and noting the continuing negative impact on manufacturing and on the employment situation in the Territory,

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

Welcomes the proposal of a draft constitution emanating from the Territory in 2009, as a result of the work of the United States Virgin Islands Fifth Constitutional Convention, for review by the administering Power, 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 internal Constitutional Convention exercise;

Requests the administering Power to facilitate the process for approval of the proposed territorial constitution in the United States Congress and its implementation, once agreed upon in the Territory;

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, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested;

Expresses its concern regarding the continuing negative impact of the Hovensa plant closure;

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;

Welcomes the active participation of the Territory in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;

Recalls the holding, in March 2014, of the meeting of the Inter-Virgin Islands Council between the Territory and the British Virgin Islands.

Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventieth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/70/23), chap. X.

Resolution 1514 (XV).

A/56/61, annex.

Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventieth Session, Supplement No. 23 (A/70/23).

See resolution 65/119.

See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.

A/AC.109/2015/1, 4–12 and 14.

A/65/330 and Add.1.

A/70/73 and Add.1.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What other versions does this mandate have?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

B

I.American Samoa

II.Anguilla

III.Bermuda

IV.British Virgin Islands

V.Cayman Islands

VI.Guam

VII.Montserrat

VIII.Pitcairn

IX.Saint Helena

X.Turks and Caicos Islands

XI.United States Virgin Islands

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