Special Committee on

Decolonization

2^nd Meeting (AM)

Pacific Regional Seminar to Be Held in Noumea, New Caledonia, 18-20 May,

Special Committee on Decolonization Decides

 

The General Assembly’s Special Committee on Decolonization approved today plans to hold its 2010 Pacific Regional Seminar in Noumea, New Caledonia, from 18 to 20 May.

In making that decision, 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 Special Committee on Decolonization or the Special Committee of 24 ‑‑ also determined that the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories would be celebrated during the Seminar, as in the past.

Additionally, the Special Committee approved the Seminar’s Guidelines and Rules of Procedure (document A/AC.109/2010/18), and decided to authorize its Chair to finalize the list of selected experts, non-governmental organizations and others to be invited.

Donatus St. Aimee ( Saint Lucia), Chairman, said the Special Committee’s official delegation to the Seminar would comprise the Chair, Bureau and four members selected on the basis of just geographical representation and rotation, in accordance with the guidelines and established practice.  All elected and appointed officials of the Non-Self-Governing Territories were invited to the Seminar, he said, adding that invitations would also be extended to Member States, including administering Powers, as well as to specialized agencies of the United Nations and some regional organizations.

He said the travel costs to be borne by the United Nations would be limited to the Special Committee’s official delegation, three experts, three non-governmental organizations and representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.  Expressing hope that as many participants as possible would attend the Seminar to ensure it was productive, he said the Secretariat was working on the logistics with the Permanent Mission of France and the Government of New Caledonia.

The Special Committee will meet again at a date and time to be announced.

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For information media • not an official record