Dozens of former colonies have gained their independence since the creation of the United Nations, but a Special Committee of the UN is still at work to help more overcome their colonial past.

Decolonization is a historical mandate of the United Nations. While over 80 former colonies have gained their independence since 1945, the process of decolonization is not finished. The United Nations recognizes that the eradication of colonialism has been and continues to be one of its priorities.

There are still 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs). The UN’s decolonization process is ongoing, primarily driven by the efforts of the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), which focuses on implementing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (GA resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

Established in 1961 by the General Assembly, the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, also known as the C-24, was mandated to (i) examine the application of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and (ii) to make suggestions and recommendations on the progress and extent of the implementation of the Declaration.

Initially composed of 17 members, the Special Committee was expanded in 1962 to include seven additional members, bringing its membership to 24, which led to its designation as the ‘C-24.’ Over the years, its membership has changed and expanded.

The Special Committee, now composed of 29 Member States, holds an annual session, an annual regional seminar (held alternately in the Caribbean and the Pacific), reports to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), and takes action on some twenty resolutions on decolonization. The C-24 also participates in the annual session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Within the UN Secretariat, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Decolonization Unit supports substantively the work of the C-24, while DGACM serves as the Committee Secretariat.

The focus of the work of the Special Committee includes:

a) Examining the political, economic and social situation in the remaining NSGTs;

b) Hearing representatives of the NSGTs and individuals at its annual sessions held in June;

c) Dispatching visiting missions to the NSGTs;

d) Making recommendations to the General Assembly, usually in the form of draft resolutions on the NSGTs and thematic issues;

e) Reviewing the list of NSGTs and where and when appropriate, recommending to the General Assembly that the conditions have been met for the removal of a Territory from the list.

The C-24 holds an annual regional seminar for the purpose of receiving and disseminating information on its work. Since 1990, a total of 33 regional seminars have been held. The 2024 seminar was held in Caracas, Venezuela.

The purpose of visiting missions is to assess the situation in the Territories in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. The General Assembly has reaffirmed that visiting missions are an effective means of evaluating conditions in the Territories and has requested the C-24 to undertake at least one mission per year. Since 1965, the Committee has conducted 41 visiting and special missions to the NSGTs, the most recent being to the British Virgin Islands in August 2024.

In 2020, the General Assembly declared the Fourth Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021–2030) calling upon Member States to intensify their efforts to continue to implement the plan of action and to cooperate with the C-24. 

Special thanks to Ms. Josiane Ambiehl, Chief of the Decolonization Unit, for her contribution.