‘Get the List Down to Zero’, Grenada’s Foreign Minister Urges as Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization Concludes

SAINT GEORGE’S, Grenada, 4 May — The process of eradicating colonialism can only be completed if the actions called for by the General Assembly are fully implemented, Grenada’s Foreign Minister said today, as the Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization concluded its work.

“We would not want to leave the conference without having clear ideas and proposals to getting the list down to zero,” said Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour, in his closing remarks to the annual Seminar, referring to the list of 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories on the United Nations agenda that are yet to achieve the political status required for delisting.

Mr. David said that the outcomes of the Seminar, which his country hosted for the fourth time, must guarantee the survival and protection of the most vulnerable people of the Territories, and allow for their economic, social and political development.

Held under the auspices of the Special Committee on Decolonization, a General Assembly body created to monitor such processes, the 2019 Seminar’s theme was “Implementation of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism:  accelerating decolonization through renewed commitment and pragmatic measures”.  (For further information, see Press Releases GA/COL/3331 of 29 April, GA/COL/3332 of 2 May and GA/COL/3334 of 3 May.)

Keisha Aniya McGuire (Grenada), Chair of the Special Committee, highlighted the significant number of participants in the Seminar:  nine Non-Self-Governing Territories, 21 out of 29 Member States of the Special Committee, six other Member States and three of the four administering Powers.  “We had good and constructive discussions on the important issues and topics on the Seminar’s agenda, especially on how to move forward the decolonization process,” she said.  The Special Committee is called upon to ensure proper follow-up to the concerns expressed and to further consider these issues during its June session, she added.

During the final session, participants adopted the Seminar’s procedural report (document CRS/2019/CRP.13) and a draft resolution expressing “profound gratitude” to the Government and people of Grenada for hosting the Seminar.  The Seminar’s Rapporteur presented both documents.

The Special Committee is expected to formally adopt the Seminar’s conclusions and recommendations during its substantive 2019 session in June.