Fourth Committee, 7th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session General Assembly Date: 9 October 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/c4/81/7 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- 4th Committee · Chair [0:02]: Ladies and gentlemen, the seventh meeting of the Special Political Decolonization Committee is called to order. In accordance with our program of work, the Committee will now continue its general debate on the decolonization items 52 to 56. The list of speakers for the general debate will close at 6:00 p.m. today, and it is published in the UN Journal. Before giving the floor to the first speaker, I wish to remind delegations of the time limits of 10 minutes for national statements and 15 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group. For maximum utilization of our time, I appeal to all speakers to deliver shorter versions of the statement and to submit the full text to the e-statement at un.org for posting in the UN journal. To support the interpreters, please email in advance also the shorter version with the indication for interpretation only. And now, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis on behalf of CARICOM. You have the floor. Saint Kitts and Nevis · CARICOM [1:21]: Mr. Chair, distinguished representatives, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, on an issue that is deeply rooted in the history, identity, and experience of our region, the unfinished work of decolonization. CARICOM congratulates you, Mr. Chair, and the other members of the Bureau on your election to lead this year's session of the Fourth Committee. Mr. Chair, each one of us in this room has a duty to ensure that every human being is able to fully exercise all of their rights, including the inalienable right to self-determination. For the peoples of the Caribbean, decolonization is not merely a chapter in our history. It is a continuing commitment to the principles of dignity, equality, sovereignty, and self-determination for all people everywhere. This conviction drives our continued support for the full implementation of the United Nations Charter and the Declaration on Granting of the on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. CARICOM reaffirms the importance of the right to self-determination and of completing the decolonization process in accordance with international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Mr. Chair, CARICOM extends its sincere appreciation to Her Excellency Manasseh Rambling for her dedicated leadership of the Special Committee on Decolonization. the C24. Her stewardship has been marked by diligence, clarity of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. That said, CARICOM recognizes the indispensable role of the C24 in advancing the work of the Fourth Committee. There are still 17 non-self-governing territories, and this reminds us that the promise of the 1960 Declaration has not yet been fulfilled. The C24 provides an essential forum for hearing the voices of the peoples of the territories, examining their circumstances, and keeping the poignant question of decolonization firmly on the international agenda. CARICOM therefore supports the continued work of the C24 and calls for sustained international attention to the remaining territories. We underscore the importance of this issue in our region, given that several of the NSDTs are in our region. CARICOM recognizes that the circumstances and aspirations of each territory are distinct, but the common principle is that the people of each territory must be able to participate meaningfully in determining their political future in according to the freely expressed wishes of the people most affected. In that connection, we underscore that there is merit to examine each territory by a case by case approach. Caricom has demonstrated its support for this principle in practice. Our heads of government have endorsed the work of the C24 concerning the British Virgin Islands and supported continued engagement with the decolonization process here. We further note the important steps being taken by the British Virgin Islands as it readies itself for self-governance. As the negotiations for a pre-independence constitution are underway, CARICOM encourages continued constructive dialogue between the United Kingdom, the BVI and the United Nations, with particular attention to democratic participation, good governance, economic resilience and the political aspirations of the peoples concerned. Mr. Chair, for CARICOM, decolonization cannot be separated from the question of historical justice. As this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, CARICOM reiterates its call for the international community to recognize that reparatory justice is not just a matter of mere money, but an intentional and conscious process of healing for those who suffered the trauma and for those whose pockets were lined by the pain. It is also the natural recourse of those who suffered the indignity of the suppression of their right to self-determination. We live in a time now where xenophobia, radicalized discourse, and discordant policies are still challenges, highlighting the reality that many great nations prospered because of austere individualism and colonial exceptionalism. In the Caribbean, indigenous dispossession, African enslavement, exploitation, and colonial extraction contributed in no small measure to the scourges of inequality and underdevelopment, which we are still working hard to eradicate. Our pursuit of reparatory justice is therefore connected to a broader pursuit of equality and human dignity. The revised 10-point plan for justice, advanced last month by CARICOM during the third regional conference reparations, represents a comprehensive and forward-looking framework that situates reparations as a matter of justice, accountability, and sustainable development. It calls for concrete actions, including formal apologies, public health and education investment, psychological rehabilitation, debt cancellation, and compensation, while addressing the enduring consequences of slavery, genocide, and colonialism in Caribbean communities. by linking historical redress to present-day development and equity. The plan underscores that reparations are not merely symbolic but transformative measures aimed at securing dignity, resilience, and a just future for affected peoples. This connection is crucial. Decolonization addresses the political rights of peoples to determine their future. Repertory justice addresses the enduring consequences of systems that deprive peoples of freedom, resources, opportunity, and control over their own development. Both are ultimately concerned with restoring agency. Caricom therefore sees reparatory justice as part of the wider effort to build a more equitable international order, one in which historical injustices are acknowledged and redressed, and the contemporary consequences are addressed for meaningful, sustainable measures. Mr. Chair, the Caribbean's own history teaches us that decolonization is not achieved simply by changing a flag and singing a different national anthem, Political independence must be accompanied by the ability to build sustainable economies, strengthen institutions, preserve culture, address historical inequalities, and ensure that future generations inherit genuine freedom of choice. This is why CARICOM's vision of decolonization is inseparable from development, justice, and human dignity. As we approach the completion of the fourth International Decade for the Eradication colonialism, we must ensure that the remaining territories are not forgotten. We call for renewed international attention to the territories, strengthen support for the C24, meaningful participation of the people's concerned, and constructive engagement among administering powers, territories, and the United Nations. Likewise, we call the international community to recognize that the legacies of colonialism do not disappear when formal colonial administration's ends. The work of decolonization must therefore extend from political status to economic opportunity, social justice, and reparatory justice. And of utmost importance, decolonization must consider the climate vulnerabilities of small island developing states. In order for decolonizations of the NSGTs to be effective, they must be fully equipped to combat the climate crisis. Therefore, sustainability, resilience, and adaptation must be at the core of discussions when territories undergo the decolonization process. Mr. Chair, CARICOM remains committed to the principles and purposes of the United Nations. The remaining territories are not relics of another era. They are communities of people who have rights that must be respected and protected. Decolonization is ultimately about one simple but profound principle: people must determine their own future. CARICOM stands ready to continue working with Member States, the C24, the administering powers, and the peoples of the remaining non-self-governing territories to advance that principle. Let us ensure that the promise made by this organization decades ago is not merely remembered but fulfilled. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [10:54]: I thank the distinguished representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil on behalf of a large number of the members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic. You have the floor. Brazil · ZPCSA [11:17]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the following member states of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic: Angola, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Uruguay. We would like to congratulate you on presiding over the work of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee during the 81st session of the General Assembly and wish you the greatest success in your duties. The members of the zone have expressed its position on the question of the Malvinas Islands on several occasions. In the last declaration adopted in the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 8 and 9 April 2026, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Zone reiterated their positions on the question in the following terms: We reaffirm the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations, view with concern the continuation of situations that adversely affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of some Member States of the Zone, and support efforts by Member States of the Zone in promoting the principle of settling disputes by peaceful means and in finding negotiated solutions to territorial disputes affecting Member States of the Zone. We call for the resumption of negotiations between the governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in accordance with General Assembly resolution 206520 and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the question of the Malvinas Islands, with a view to finding as soon as possible a peaceful, just and durable solution to the sovereignty dispute; acknowledge the good predisposition and willingness of the Argentine Republic in holding negotiations to this effect, recall General Assembly resolution 37/9, which, inter alia, entrusted the Secretary-General with a mission of good offices in order to assist the parties to resume the said negotiations, and reaffirm General Assembly resolution 31/49, which requires both parties in the sovereignty dispute to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation. In this context, we view with concern the development of illegitimate hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the area under dispute, as well as the reinforcement of the military presence by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the area. and highlight the right of the member of the zone to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, including the right of the Argentine Republic to take legal action with full respect for international law and relevant resolutions against non-authorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands and the maritime surrounding areas. Thank you very much. Mr. Chair, I will now read my statement in our national capacity as Brazil. Before the United Nations and the Argentine people, Brazil reiterates its historic support for the legitimate sovereignty rights of the Argentine Republic over the Malvinas Islands, one of the subjects of this discussion. The question of the Malvinas is the subject of a clear Brazilian position on the Argentine sovereignty rights, which was made immediately after the illegal British occupation in 1833. This constitutes a special and particular colonial situation which has dragged on for almost two centuries. Here the concept of self-determination does not apply because the current population of the islands was introduced following an illegal occupation in the view of international law. For Brazil, as for a majority of the United Nations member countries, the Malvinas Islands have always been an integral part of the Argentine national territory. What applies exclusively in this case is the principle of the territorial integrity of states and the peaceful settlement of disputes. That is what the United Nations has been working towards since the General Assembly adopted its resolution 2065. This is a process which should have led which should have been conducted within the clear bounds of diplomacy and strictly under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter, in particular its Article 33. Unfortunately, that process was abruptly paralyzed in 1982 when the Argentine military dictatorship decided to try to resolve through force with a view to obtaining domestic political results, a complex dispute that was being channeled through multilateral diplomacy in the UN with the agreement of both parties and the support of the international community. With the sad martyrdom of brave young Argentines, the military dictatorship sacrificed the path of diplomacy and set back a process which, as happened with other territories in similar situations, was moving towards a diplomatic solution within the framework of the UN. Despite what happened, the United Nations once again supported the process with its resolution 37/9, which called upon the parties to pursue a solution based on the Charter and with the good offices of the Secretary-General. This is not a simple process and nobody thought that it would be easily resolved, particularly after the 1982 armed conflict. But criticizing the UN and multilateralism as being responsible for that setback would be to lose sight of the fact that the only way to resolve questions such as the question of the Malvinas Islands is to calmly and determinedly apply international law and for that to be done by the parties to the dispute. That tends to be stronger and have greater results when it is supported by multilateral action under the auspices of the United Nations, as has happened in many successful cases of the fight against colonialism since 1945. This is our goal, by continuing to raise this subject with so much support from our membership in this forum. In line with our position, we are currently in particular concerned by infringements upon multilateral provisions enshrined in resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly, which urges the parties to refrain from introducing modifications in the situation of the islands through unilateral action. The United Kingdom is doing that through the exploration and intended exploitation of natural resources in the area subject to the sovereignty dispute. We express our support for an increase in the number of constructive positions taken by both parties, with the expectation that strengthening the bilateral relationship could help create the necessary conditions for the resumption of bilateral conversations within a constitutive framework and within the bounds of international law. For the aforementioned reasons, we urge the Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume bilateral negotiations in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. This reinvigorated process should lead to a definitive solution to this sovereignty dispute in the framework of the final stage of the decolonization process that was so successfully carried out by the United Nations, restoring full Argentine sovereignty the Malvinas, which was snatched in 1833, and also taking into account the interests of the population living on the islands. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [20:03]: I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belize on behalf of the Central American Integration System. You have the floor. Belize · SICA [20:19]: Mr. Chair, have the honor to speak on behalf of the eight member states of Central American Integration System, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and my own country, Belize. On behalf of the member states of the Central American Integration System, SICA, I wish to extend sincere appreciation to Her Excellency, Manisa Rombali, for her leadership of the Special Committee on Decolonization, the C24. I also wish to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, and other members of the Bureau on your election. You can count on the support of our delegations. The Member States of SICA take this opportunity to reiterate their support for the mandate 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, C-24. Member States of SICA reaffirmed their position regarding the importance of ensuring the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and reaffirmed their commitment to continue working within the framework of international law. particularly with regard to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514, session 15 of 14 December 1960, and other relevant General Assembly resolutions, in order to make the Latin American and Caribbean region a territory free from colonialism and colonies. Mr. Chair, the member states of SICA reiterate their permanent interest in seeing the governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland resume negotiations with a view to finding as soon as possible a peaceful and definitive solution to the dispute in accordance with the United Nations Resolution 2620 and subsequent resolutions and pronouncements of the General Assembly. without Mr. Chair, I would like to also deliver a short statement in my national capacity. Mr. Chair, we align ourselves with the statement earlier delivered by the Caribbean community and the one I just delivered on behalf of SICA. The rights of people to self-determination is sacrosanct. It affirms that all peoples may freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. For Belize, The right is the foundation of our independence and our place among the community of nations. Nelson Mandela remind us that ordinary men and women are the real makers of history. As he said, their participation in every decision about the future is the only guarantee of true democracy and freedom. That conviction must guide our work. The people concerned must be at the heart of every process to determine their future. Over the past few days, we have heard representatives and petitioners from non-self-governing territories, some listed since 1946, eight decades ago. One representative recalled first coming to this committee as a young man, seated behind his chief minister, and returning over the years as chief minister himself. His account reminds us that unfinished decolonization is measured not only in resolutions and reporting cycles, not in lifetimes and generations. Mandela's words challenge us to listen and to act. The participation of peoples must shape both the process and its outcome. Belize therefore support the work of the Special Committee on Decolonization, the C24, and calls for accelerated, concrete progress towards completing the decolonization of the remaining territories, consistent with the Charter and the relevant United Nations resolutions. We make this call in solidarity with our Pacific and Caribbean brothers and sisters as they seek to realize their political aspirations. We note the constitutional negotiations between the United Kingdom and the British Virgin Islands. We encourage continued constructive dialogue with the United Nations support, grounded in the freely expressed wishes of the peoples. We make the same call for the people of Western Sahara, whose decolonization remains unfinished. Belize reiterates its call for the United Nations and the international community to enable the Sahrawi people finally to exercise their right to self-determination and freely decide their future. We stress that the situation of the Sahrawi refugees cannot be reduced to a humanitarian issue or the indefinite management of their displacement, but must be addressed at its root. They, too, must be the makers of their history. Mr. Chair, an inalienable right does not diminish with the passage of time, but every generation left waiting challenges our commitment to uphold it. At this critical juncture for multilateralism, completing the unfinished work of decolonization is a test of the United Nations' credibility and purpose. Belize calls for renewed resolve, meaningful cooperation, and measurable progress. Let us ensure that the people who have come to this committee can shape their own future and that next generation inherits the freedom to choose rather than the burden of unfinished decolonization I thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [25:53]: I thank the distinguished representative of Belize and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain Mr. Spain [26:05]: Chairman At the beginning of this statement, I would like to thank this special political decolonization committee for the work over the past 80 years. It is a key task in building an international order to which we aspire. We trust that the Fourth International Decade for the Elimination of Colonialism 2021-2030, whose declaration of which Spain gladly endorsed, manages to conclude this unfinished task, which is a relic of the past and continues to undermine the territorial integrity of various states including Spain. My country continues to demand its restoration of its territorial integrity diminished by Gibraltar. This is the result of a historical anachronism which was related to the War of Succession for the Spanish Crown during which Gibraltar was militarily occupied. The Treaty of Utrecht 1713 closed this dynastic war and forced Spain to cede this territory. And after that, most of the original inhabitants were expelled over time and based on the changing needs of the metropolis. The United Kingdom was expanding without any legal valid title of the space it occupied. This did this using force and in bad faith against international law. At the beginning of the 19th century, the United Kingdom extended its occupation toward the isthmus, using various excuses to establish civilian and military camps. Once the emergency passed, these became permanent. In 1909, the United Kingdom built a fence on the aforementioned isthmus, expanding even further the area that it had illegally occupied. Obviously, Spain never recognized this unilateral delimitation, and that is contrary to law. In 1934, the British built south of the fence an emergency runway that in 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, was expanded, becoming a military airport, which jutted out more than a half kilometer to territorial waters of Spain. The United Kingdom thus was occupying land, sea, and air of Spain. The Treaty of Utrecht defined clearly where the areas ceded to Spain. The isthmus was not part of it, nor the waters that are around Gibraltar were ceded, other than the original port or the airspace above it. All these spaces, water and air, Spain continues to exercise its sovereignty on a daily basis. These are Spanish waters and Spanish air. Mr. Chairman, for over half a century each year, the General Assembly and this committee reiterates to the United Kingdom and Spain its mandate to begin negotiations to put an end to the colonial situation in Gibraltar, which is included in the list of 17 non-self-governing territories. This obligation is also recalled annually in the so-called C24 Committee and the conclusions of the annual seminar that was in May in Managua. Spain reiterates its readiness to fulfill this mandate by the same token that it subscribes to the legal doctrine developed by this Assembly on decolonization of Gibraltar through the approval of a series of resolutions that we consider legally in force. I want to mention three. Resolution 2231 of 1966 invites the two parties, Spain and the United Kingdom, to continue their negotiations and request the administrative power, that is, the United Kingdom, not to put any obstacle and to consult with the government of Spain on the decolonization of Gibraltar. In 1967, Resolution 2353 specifies that decolonization of Gibraltar should be governed by the principle of territorial integrity, the principle enshrined in Resolution 1514, and according to international Court of Justice has a declarative character as a norm of customary law. And also, Resolution 2429 of 1968 that established a deadline for the colonial status of Gibraltar, the 1st of October, 1969. Now, given that the General Assembly annually requests that these territories be decolonized. Mr. Chairman, Spain considers that negotiations that should lead to the decolonization of Gibraltar could only be done based on complying with the doctrine of the United Nations, which states that. Decolonization should take place on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, the administrative power ignores this mandate. In 1967, a referendum was organized that was condemned by Resolution 2353. We recall that the General Assembly was clear in denying the existence of a supposed right to free determination. The persistence of a colonial situation in our territory produces other undesirable effects that goes beyond the violation of territorial integrity. They are felt in the economy, and the environment and security, and particularly affecting the zone called Campo de Gibraltar. For example, this has led to distortion in the economy, including illicit trafficking at the expense of the prosperity of the region and the Spanish and European treasury. The environmental legislation in Gibraltar is less strict than that of the EU and causes pollution, as well as loss of biodiversity and risks for the inhabitants of the area of Spain. defends the prosperity both of the territory and the towns of the Campo de Gibraltar. And we're convinced that there's a great potential for this, as long as the necessary political will exists. Now, in connection with the UK's exit from the EU, there was an opportunity to resolve many of these problems if we can develop a framework based on equity. Spain and the United Kingdom negotiate an agreement on fiscal area and the protection of financial interests, which has been in force since the 4th of March 2021. Also, they signed four memorandums of understanding in 28 in the area of citizens rights, police cooperation, customs cooperation, and others. Only the first one is currently being applied. Also, on the 31st of December of 2020, Spain and UK reached an understanding on Gibraltar with regard to creating shared zone of prosperity. Also, on the 14th of June, an agreement was signed in Brussels between the EU and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar. Spain applauds this agreement because it will make it possible to improve the lives of the citizens of Campo de Gibraltar. Nothing in the agreement or nothing as a result of that agreement implies any modification of the legal position of Spain with regard to sovereignty and its jurisdiction over Gibraltar. Mr. Chairman, Spain's readiness to dialogue and commitment to international law has made it possible that year after year since 1975, Spain proposes to the chair of this committee, together with the United Kingdom, a consensus decision which urges reaching a definitive solution to the question of Gibraltar in light of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the applicable principles. Also, the United Kingdom opened a process of negotiation with Spain once it became democratic through the joint Brussels Declaration in 1984, which was then suspended unilaterally by the United Kingdom, and that Spain has been requesting renewing year after year. Once again, Spain is ready to engage in dialogue. Thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [34:11]: I thank the distinguished representative of Spain. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay on behalf of G77, Mercosur, and CELAC. Uruguay · G77 + China; Mercosur; CELAC [34:31]: Thank you, Chair. I have the honour of taking the floor on behalf of the G77. I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The members of the group have expressed their position on the question of the Malvinas Islands on various occasions. At the most recent statement adopted by ministers of foreign affairs of the group on 25 September 2026, they reiterated their position on this question in the following terms. 445 the ministers reaffirmed the need for the governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in accordance with the principles and the objectives of the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly in order to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding Maritime areas and appreciated the good predisposition and willingness of Argentina in holding negotiations related to this aim, and recalled UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/37/9, which, inter alia, entrusted the Secretary-General with a mission of good offices in order to assist the parties to resume the said negotiations. 4.4.6. In this regard, the Ministers reaffirmed the principle of territorial integrity as enshrined in General Assembly resolution 1514/15, highlighted the right of the member states of the group to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, including the right of the Argentine Republic to take legal action with full respect for international law and relevant resolutions against non-authorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the referred area, and recalled the need for both parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands are going through the process recommended the General Assembly in accordance with General Assembly resolution a/31/49 whose 50th anniversary of adoption will be commemorated on the 1st of December 2026. Now Mr. Chair I will take the floor on behalf of Mercosur. Mr. Chair I have the honor first of all we would like to congratulate you and the other members of the bureau on leading the work of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee for the 81st session of the General Assembly, and we wish you every success in your mandate. On the subject of decolonization, the members of Mercosur and associated states refer to one of the last colonial questions of the 21st century, the question of the Malvinas Islands. In that regard, we reiterate our respect for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute relating to the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. In the question of the Malvinas Islands, which is a special and particular case of decolonization, the principle of self-determination is not applicable. although the British population, because the British population was introduced under illegal application and they cannot constitute a people in the legal sense of the term. In this case, the principle of territorial integrity should be respected in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law. Since the adoption of resolution 2065/20 until the present date, the General Assembly and the Special Committee on Decolonization has recognized that the question of the Malvinas Islands is a sovereignty dispute that involves the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and that the way to put an end to the special and particular colonial situation of this case is the peaceful and negotiated settlement of the dispute between the two parties. Our heads of state have pronounced themselves on the question of the Malvinas Islands on numerous occasions, as was the case in the special declaration of the presidents of the states parties of Mercosur and associated states on the question of the Malvinas Islands, the 30th of June, 2026, on the Mercosur summit, at which they reaffirmed the terms of the declaration on the Malvinas, which is signed on the 25th of June, 1996, in Potrero de los Funes, and reaffirmed the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute. reiterated a regional interest in the prolonged sovereignty dispute between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime area, that as soon as possible should reach a solution in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the declarations of the Organization of American States, Mercosur and other regional and multilateral fora. Resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly urges the parties to refrain from adopting decisions that would introduce unilateral modifications into the situation of the Malvinas Islands. In that regard, it is essential that the United Kingdom put an end to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and that they do not promote military exercises in the area under dispute. We stress that the adoption of unilateral measures, including exploration and exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources in the disputed area, is not compatible with what has been agreed in the United Nations. We recognize the right of the Argentine Republic to promote legal actions fully in line with international law and the treaties in force against non-authorized activities for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the area. And we reiterate that the South Atlantic is a zone of peace and cooperation with a vocation to respect and find a peaceful solution to conflicts. The member states and associated states of Mercosur would like to reiterate their request to the Secretary General to renew his efforts to carry out a good officer's mission as requested by the Secretary General through successive resolutions in order to resume negotiations aimed at finding as soon as possible a peaceful solution to this dispute and to report on progress in carrying out that mission. The member states and associated states of MRCOSUR would once again like to highlight the full readiness demonstrated by the Argentine Government and would urge the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations to find a lasting solution to the sovereignty dispute. Thank you very much. And I will now proceed with the CELAC statement. I have the honour to participate in this debate on behalf of the Member States of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC. CELAC would like to reiterate its firm support for the decolonization process and highlights the importance of making sure that all of the peoples of the world exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined as one of the central purposes of the United Nations Charter and established in resolutions 1514/15 of the 14th of December 1960 and resolution of the 15th of December 1960, as well as other relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. As we mark almost 65 years since the creation of the Special Committee on Decolonization, we can reaffirm with pride that its work has led to prominent results. However, the fact that there are still 17 territories in the category of non-self-governing territories, and more than half of those territories are geographically proximate to our region, Latin America and the Caribbean, reveals that the decolonization process has not yet been concluded, and that the elimination of colonialism must continue to be one priorities of the United Nations, we as member states and as an organization have the responsibility to maintain our commitment to the decolonization of those territories. At its summit in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on the 1st of March 2024, CELAC reiterated its commitment to continuing to work within the framework of international law, and in particular, in the framework of Resolution 1514 of the United Nations General Assembly of the 14th of December 1960. in to make the region of Latin America a territory free of colonialism and colonies. In the framework of the Fourth International Decade for the Elimination of Colonialism, CELAC invites the administrating powers to cooperate and to fully participate in the work of the Special Committee and its future seminars, and also to take the necessary measures to achieve the rapid decolonization of each of the non-self-governing territories, taking into account the specific situation of each case. Moreover, we urge the administrating powers to regularly communicate precise information on each of the territories under their administration in accordance with the obligations from Article 73 of the Charter. CELAC expresses its gratitude to the Member States of the Special Committee on Decolonization for their tireless work and for the report presented in document A/83/23, with recommendations to be adopted by the General Assembly. Our community supports the circulation of information on decolonization by the Department of Global Communications and all the United Nations Information Centres. the assistance of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and we request that they redouble their efforts to that end. Mr. Chair. As was expressed at the 10th CELAC Summit, the community of member states of Latin America and the Caribbean reaffirm their position on the question of the Malvinas Islands and reiterate their firmest support for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Island, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. The countries of our region have expressed their permanent interest in the governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland resuming negotiations to find as soon as possible a peaceful and definitive solution to this dispute in accordance with Resolution 2065 of the United Nations General Assembly and other relevant resolutions. as they expressed in previous declarations of the summit and the Unity Summit in Riviera Maya in Mexico from the 23rd of February 2023, which are part of the history of CELAC, the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. entrusted the pro-temporary presidency with the task of asking the Secretary-General to resume his efforts to carry out a good offices mission, as requested by the General Assembly in successive resolutions, with a view to achieving a resumption of negotiations aimed at, as soon as possible, finding a peaceful solution to this dispute, and that he report on progress made in that mission. Moreover, they reiterated the importance of observing resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly, which calls upon both parties to refrain from adopting decisions that would involve the introduction of unilateral modifications to the situation while the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas are subject to the process recommended by the General Assembly. Mr. Chair, the colonial question of Puerto Rico has been considered for 53 years in the Special Committee on Decolonization. As a result of that, in recent years, there has been an approval by consensus of 42 resolutions and decisions. Those resolutions reaffirm, inter alia, the inalienable right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination and independence in accordance with Resolution 1514 of the General Assembly, and request the General Assembly to consider all aspects of the question of Puerto Rico in a comprehensive manner. The question of Puerto Rico was included in the statements adopted by the community since 2013 and for decades has been considered by the special committee on decolonization as was expressed at the 8th celac summit the community of Latin America and Caribbean states reiterated the Latin American and Caribbean nature of Puerto Rico they took note of resolutions on Puerto Rico adopted by the special committee on decolonization and reaffirmed that this is a subject of interest for celac in that regard celac recalls the special statement on the situation of Puerto Rico adopted on the occasion of the sixth summit in Mexico City on the 18th of September 2021. The member countries of CELAC commit to continue working in the framework of international law, particularly in the framework of resolution 15, 14, 15 of the General Assembly of the United Nations. of the 14th of December 1960 to make the region of Latin America a territory free of colonialism and colonies. Chair, when it comes to island territories that make up the majority of the non-self-governing territories, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States considers it necessary to continue adopting measures to facilitate the sustained and balanced growth of their fragile economies. In this context, CELAC reaffirms the importance of continuing to make progress on the decolonization process in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Moreover, our community considers that particular attention should be paid to key questions affecting small islands, such as the accelerated loss of their territory due to sea level rise as a consequence of climate change, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. Mr. Chair, CELAC reaffirms also its commitment to the purposes of the United Nations in the area of decolonization and to the pursuit of peaceful solutions in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of this organization. As regards Western Sahara, the Community of Latin American and the Caribbean States reaffirms all of its resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council on this question. including resolution 80/89 of the General Assembly, which was approved by consensus, and reiterates that in accordance with those resolutions, it continues to firmly support the efforts of the Secretary-General and his personal envoy to find a just, lasting, mutually acceptable political solution that would lead to the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of agreements that are compatible with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and resolution 1514/15 of the General Assembly, as well as other relevant resolutions. And I'm afraid I do not have time to finish reading this statement, but you can find the full written version online. In that regard, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States trusts that multilateral efforts to promote the most intense and substantive negotiations between the parties will continue under the auspices of the Secretary General and his personal envoy in accordance with international law to implement. 4th Committee · Chair [49:33]: I thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay, and I'd like to really thank you for your dedication and effort. Very highly appreciated. And now I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of India. India [49:56]: Chair, India has been a global champion and leading voice in the struggle against colonialism. In 1962, India was elected as the first chair of the Decolonization Committee, C/24, which was established to monitor the implementation of the 1960 Declaration on granting of independence to colonized countries and people and consider application in this regard. Since the establishment of Decolonization Committee, India has been actively contributing towards its functioning. We have also been working constructively on the decolonization agenda in the Fourth Committee. At this juncture, India reaffirms its commitment to work tirelessly alongside the Decolonization Committee as well as the Fourth Committee in their endeavors to address colonization. The fight against colonization has been arduous since the creation of the United Nations. More than 80 former colonies were able to break free from the shackles of colonialism and gain independence. These former colonies are now members of the United Nations family. The process, however, remains unfinished. Seventeen non-self-governing territories remain on the agenda of the Fourth Committee. These territories are in various stages of decolonization process. Even as we mark the fourth International Decade of the Eradication of Colonialism, concerted action is required to conclude this process. The principle of self-determination is on the agreed agenda of this Committee. It, however, needs to be underlined that United Nations has established the principle of self-determination as a vehicle for the worthy cause of decolonization of seven self-governing territories. Mr. Chair, in closing, India reiterates It firmly believes that pursuing a pragmatic approach towards decolonization would lead to fulfillment of legitimate wishes of the people of self-governing territories. The Committee also needs to strive towards enhancing cooperation with international agencies, actors, and channelizing resources for the seven non-self-governing territories. Such an approach would help to build capacities of the 17 territories and pave the way of their just and noble quest towards achieving their long cherished goal. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [52:48]: I thank the distinguished representative of India. I now give the floor to the representative of Qatar. Qatar [53:01]: Mr. Chair, the State of Qatar congratulates you on assuming the chairmanship of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. We reiterate our confidence in and support for the Bureau members in discharging their duties. We also align with the statement of Bahrain on behalf of the states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Chair, we affirm our steadfast position in support for eradicating colonialism and foreign occupation in all forms and manifestations. We reaffirm our support for the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 1514, which affirms clearly that the continued colonialism and occupation are ongoing human rights violations. We recall relevant international human rights instruments, and we stress the importance of them, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant UN resolutions. When it comes to the Committee considering decolonization items, we call on all Member States and stakeholders to cooperate in order to achieve just settlements for all questions before our Committee in line with international law and based on approach that takes into account the specificities of each question. In this regard, we reiterate our steadfast position as to the just question of Palestine and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, most notably the right to self-determination and the establishment of its independent state on the borders of '67 with East Jerusalem as its capital. Chair, I would like, uh, to, um, note the, uh, question of the Moroccan Sahara, we reiterate our position that is grounded in our firm belief in, um… settling disputes through dialogue and negotiations and other peaceful means in line with international law and the Charter. In this regard, we support the efforts of the Secretary General to achieve a mutually agreeable and mutually acceptable, rather, and lasting political solution under the UN-led political process in line with Security Council resolutions, most recently Resolution 2797, in a way that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom Morocco. We also welcome efforts of Mr. de Mistura, the personal envoy of the Secretary-General. Mr. Chair, we welcome the autonomy initiative put forward by the Kingdom of Morocco, which is a constructive and objective basis for any realistic and sustainable solution for this question. To conclude, we hope that the draft resolution that the committee will consider on this question will contribute to supporting the political process and a final solution, as well as sustainable peace in a way that serves the interests of the parties, security, stability, cooperation in the region, as well as international peace and security. I thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [56:13]: I thank the distinguished representative of the State of Qatar. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba. Cuba [56:26]: Mr. Chairman, my delegation aligns itself with the statement made by Russia on behalf of. The Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, of Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China, and of CELAC, and the one that Uganda will make on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The UN plays a key role in the fight against colonialism, principle of equal rights, and free determination of peoples. which is recognized in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Peoples and Countries, will not be implemented as long as there is one single people still subject to colonialism. Once again, we reaffirm our commitment to the work of the Special Decolonization Committee. Which after 65 years of intense work has systematically monitored the economic, political, and social developments in non-self-governing territories. And other territories which are not registered as such, such as Puerto Rico, continue to suffer this form of domination. Decolonization demands a collective commitment of the international community. and must be an essential priority of this organization that requires the support of all. We reaffirm our profound gratitude and recognition to the people and government of Nicaragua that for the third time successfully hosted the Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization in the past month of May. And the hospitable land of Sandino received us for three days of work that culminated in the adoption of recommendations and conclusions geared towards achieving our common goal towards decolonization. In the framework of the Fourth International Decade for the Elimination of Colonialism, Cuba will continue demonstrating its firm commitment to the implementation of the plan of action. given this is our responsibility to humankind and reflects our respect for the principles that govern this organization. In this effort, we opt for multilateralism, dialogue, and mutual respect that some seek to ignore by conducting genocides and policies of occupation and settlement. Mr. Chairman, we are witnessing an international system marked by aggressive rhetoric against the United Nations and new neocolonial practices. that seek to impose economic models and political systems, regime changes and cultural patterns that are foreign to the will of peoples. Cuba, a nation that has constantly struggled for its independence, continues to confront a multi-dimensional war that is unprecedented. from by the United States with a neo-colonial siege in fact the the commercial blockade and the energy siege imposed against Cuba the policy of collective punishment and the constant threat of a military aggression against my country are without a doubt the the most clear expression of of the attempts to colonial domination. On the 25th of July, it was the 128th anniversary since the intervention of the United States in Puerto Rico, where we affirm our unshakable solidarity with the independence of this brethren Caribbean people. The imposition of the so-called Fiscal Control Board 10 years ago has led to an increase in the colonial subordination of Puerto Rico and has led to a worsening social situation and worsening social services for the people of Puerto Rico. The Free Association Agreement that was imposed in Puerto Rico is simply the form found by the United States to exert domination of this brethren island. Mr. Chairman, the use of hunger as a method of war, The obstacles put in the way of humanitarian assistance and the military actions of the occupying power in the north of the West Bank and in Gaza are a serious assault on the very existence of the Palestinian population and are part of a systematic policy of annexation, occupation, and colonization. Cuba reaffirms its commitment and support for the Palestinian cause and reaffirms its conviction that only through a two-state solution with the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital that guarantees the right of return of refugees, will it be possible to achieve a just and lasting peace. With regard to Western Sahara, Cuba will continue to advocate in all multilateral forums for the legitimate aspirations of the Saharawi people. We do not, we're not in favor of unilateral decisions that disregard the interests and rights of this people, including an autonomy without sovereignty that violates international law, the UN Charter, and Resolution 1514 and 2625 of the General Assembly. We also support the legitimate and sovereign right of Argentina over the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands, and their surrounding maritime areas. We reiterate the appeal for a negotiated, just, and definitive solution to the issue of the Malvinas as soon as possible that takes into account respect for the territorial integrity of Argentina. Mr. Chairman, our commitment to the process of decolonization is firm. We reiterate our profound solidarity with countries and peoples that still suffer from it and those who still suffer the historic consequences of this scourge. With this in mind, we believe that the brethren countries of Caribbean deserve reparations for colonialism and slavery. We also support the just demands of Africa for the damage of colonization. We're also honored to make our small contribution by hosting students from non-self-governing territories from our country, some 2,159 students. students graduated. We believe that this kind of cooperation contributes to the well-being and social and economic development of these peoples. Cuba will continue raising its voice for a world free of colonialism and supporting the work of the United Nations to this end. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [1:03:25]: I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bahamas, who is our colleague here in the Bureau, the rapporteur, and delivering the national statement of his country. You have the floor. Bahamas · Rapporteur [1:03:43]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is the first time my delegation takes the floor during the session, allow me to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election. You may count on our full support as we guide the work of this committee. The Bahamas aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Caribbean community. For the Bahamas, the question of decolonization is deeply rooted in our own national experience. 53 years ago, achieving independence, we remain mindful that the right of peoples to determine their own political future is not an abstract principle. It is a right that shaped our own history and one that must remain available in practice as well as in principle to the peoples of the remaining non-self-governing territories. Our own road to independence was not without its challenges. It required the dismantling of minority rule and a commitment to a more inclusive society in which the Bahamian people could participate fully in the political, social, and economic life of the country. That experience continues to inform our approach to the work of this committee. Chair, the objective for all non-self-governing territories remain the exercise of the right to self-determination. Yet, as history has demonstrated, a clear objective does not always mean a clear or easy path towards its achievement. More than four decades have passed since a territory in our Caribbean region last achieved independence. Today, 17 non-self-governing territories remain on the United Nations list, with a significant number located in our region. The Caribbean, therefore, continues to carry a considerable share of the unfinished business of decolonization. The passage of time matters. For the peoples of these territories, it represents years in which fundamental questions concerning political status, governance, economic development, and their future remain unresolved. Chair, at the same time, a new generation has emerged, and its voice demands to be heard. The evolution of technology has provided the peoples of non-self-governing territories with new means to participate in discussions concerning their future and to tell their own stories. We increasingly see representatives of territories using digital platforms to engage with United Nations processes, overcome geographic limitations, and bring their perspectives directly before the international community. We also see technology being used to preserve local history, culture, and language, and to better document the particular vulnerabilities faced by small island territories, including through the use of geographic information systems to monitor sea level rise and coastal erosion. These developments reinforce a simple point: the peoples of the territories must remain at the center of discussions concerning their future. This Committee must therefore continually ask itself what role it will play as that future is shaped. Chair, for its part, the Bahamas will continue to support the peoples of non-self-governing territories in our region as they seek to determine the political arrangements under which they wish to live. It is against this background that the Bahamas continues to follow developments in the British Virgin Islands closely. We recognize the progress being made by the BVI as it pursues constitutional reform and engages with the United Kingdom on the future constitutional relationship between them. The second round of constitutional negotiations has now taken place, and we hope that this process will result in a meaningful progress that is not simply reflected, rather, in legal texts, but felt by the people of the British Virgin Islands themselves. The BVI's current negotiating position includes proposals for greater internal self-government and a referendum on the territory's political status by the 31st of December in 2031. The Bahamas recognizes the significance of that proposed referendum. At the same time, genuine progress towards self-determination cannot rest on the ballot box alone. The people of the territory must be fully informed of the options available to them and must have the institutional and economic capacity necessary to exercise their choice meaningfully. This committee also has a responsibility. It must continue to facilitate visiting missions where appropriate, support targeted development initiatives, and encourage meaningful engagement between the territories and the administrating powers. Administering powers must likewise fulfill their obligations under Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations. Above all, the international community must respect the different pathways to self-determination available to the peoples of non-self-governing territories consistent with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. Mr. Chair, for the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean, the question of decolonization cannot be separated from the question of vulnerability. Many of the remaining non-self-governing territories are small islands confronting the same pressures faced by their independent neighbors: sea level rise, coastal erosion, increasingly severe weather events, and economic vulnerability. The Secretary-General himself has called for resilience and adaptation to remain at the heart of discussions concerning these territories. The Bahamas, therefore, renews its call for sustainability, resilience, and adaptation to be fully integrated into discussions concerning the future of non-self-governing territories. Political self-determination must be accompanied by the capacity to sustain the political, economic, and social choices that people make for themselves. Mr. Chair, the unfinished agenda of decolonization also requires continued attention to Western Sahara. The Bahamas welcomes the continuing engagement of the United Nations on this question and the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. We also welcome renewed discussions involving Morocco, Frente Polisario, Algeria, Mauritania, and encourage the continuation of dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations. The Bahamas has expressed the view that the Moroccan autonomy proposal represents a realistic, viable, and pragmatic approach that can contribute towards the achievement of a political solution to this long-standing dispute. At the same time, any durable political settlement must be achieved through dialogue, respect for the relevant United Nations framework, and the exercise of the right to self-determination. We therefore encourage all concerned to continue engaging constructively and in a spirit of respect, compromise, and inclusiveness with the objective of achieving a peaceful, durable, and mutually acceptable political position. Mr. Chair, as I conclude, I wish to strike somewhat of a different tone set from the hearings during our deliberations this week. There may be moments when the challenges before this committee appear difficult and when doubt is cast upon the value of the work that we undertake. Yet we should not allow frustration with the pace of progress to obscure the opportunities that remain before us. There is still time. There is still space for dialogue, and there remain opportunities to resolve long-standing differences, to end conflict and suffering, and to advance the legitimate aspirations of peoples who continue to look for this organization support. For the Bahamas, decolonization is not simply about closing a chapter in history. It is about fulfilling a promise of dignity, self-determination, and justice. It is about ensuring that peoples are able to determine their own political future and to participate in the decisions that shape their lives. Sixty-six years after the adoption of resolution 1514, the principles contained in that declaration must not become aspirations repeated from year to year without corresponding progress. The United Nations must remain steadfast in translating this principle of self-determination into reality, and this committee must continue its work until no people are left indefinitely waiting to exercise rights that the international community has long recognized as belonging to all. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [1:12:15]: I thank the distinguished representative of the Bahamas, and now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. Nicaragua [1:12:28]: Nicaragua aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the G77 plus China, the Group of Friends in Defence of the United Nations Charter, the Central American Integration System, and the one that will be delivered by the Non-Aligned Movement. Decolonization is one of the most significant achievements of this organization. The struggle of peoples for their liberation, together with international solidarity and United Nations decisions, made it possible for many nations to win their independence and to participate with their own voice in building the international order that we know today. Even so, colonialism persists and this task will be incomplete as long as the seven non-self-governing territories, the people of Puerto Rico and other territories continue to be unable to exercise their rights to self-determination and independence. Behind each of the questions that we consider, there are peoples whose future cannot continue to be subject to an indefinite wait. Resolution 1514 remains fully in force. Its fulfilment requires political will to overcome the obstacles that are preventing peoples from exercising their inalienable rights. The time that has passed does not diminish the responsibility of the colonial powers, nor does it turn domination into an acceptable situation. Mr. Chair, in 2026, we have entered the second-half of the fourth International Decade for the Elimination of Colonialism. We must take this opportunity to evaluate what progress we have achieved and what we need to do to make sure that the remaining years achieve tangible results. As a member of the Special Committee on Decolonization, Nicaragua believes it is necessary to strengthen the follow-up of each situation, looking at the specificities of each case and the resolutions. We must identify the remaining obstacles, demand cooperation from those that have responsibilities, and make sure that our deliberations help pave the way towards decolonization. With that commitment, Nicaragua, in Managua, from the 25th to the 27th of May of this year, hosted the Regional Seminar for the Caribbean on Decolonization. We hosted representatives from territories, member states, and experts with the conviction that a direct discussion is essential in order to understand the difficulties that peoples face and to look at how to overcome them. The experience gained in Managua reaffirmed the importance of making sure that the voices of these peoples are able to effectively participate in this process. This dialogue needs to be continued, and we must make the most of the recommendations from the seminar to strengthen the work of the Committee. Every meeting should contribute to bringing the decisions of the United Nations closer to the realities and aspirations of peoples. Mr. Chair, for Nicaragua, the decolonization of Latin America and the Caribbean remains a common cause and a regional responsibility. Our aspiration for a region free of colonies and colonialism needs to be supported by those who are still struggling to put an end to their colonial domination condition. Puerto Rico is part of our Latin American and Caribbean community. Their heroic people have preserved their identity and kept their aspiration for liberty alive throughout the decades and generations. Nicaragua reaffirms its support for the inalienable right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination and independence. We reiterate that it is for the United States to shoulder its moral and historic responsibility and facilitate a genuine decolonization process that would allow the people of Puerto Rico to freely decide their future without pressure or obstacles. Nicaragua. expresses to the brotherly Boricua people our affection and solidarity. Their cause deserves the attention of this organization and the support of all countries that are committed to the implementation of resolution 1514. We also express our solidarity with the people of Argentina and their sovereign right over the Malvinas Islands. Mr. Chair, Nicaragua maintains its historic solidarity with the brotherly Sahrawi people and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. We reaffirm our support for their inalienable rights to self-determination, liberty and independence. prolongation of the question of Western Sahara requires greater efforts in order to guarantee that the Sahrawi people have the right to decide their future. Nicaragua maintains its support for the carrying out of a self-determination referendum under United Nations supervision, which would lead to a solution for this colonial situation in Africa. We firmly reiterate that the question of Western Sahara remains on the decolonization agenda of the General Assembly and of this Committee. and therefore its consideration should continue under this organ until the decolonization process is concluded. Mr. Chair, the right of peoples to decide on their future also includes control over their natural resources and their ability to determine their economic and social priorities. International cooperation must strengthen those capacities and support a development that responds to their needs with full respect for their sovereignty. Nicaragua will continue to contribute to the work of this committee and of the Special Committee on Decolonization with a firm position vis-a-vis colonialism and constant solidarity for the sake of world peace and for the peoples that are struggling for their inalienable rights to liberty and self-determination. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [1:18:24]: I'd like to thank the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mozambique. Mozambique [1:18:37]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Mozambique commends your leadership and that of the Bureau of the Fourth Committee. We assure you of our full cooperation and support in the discharge of the committee's important mandate. We also wish to thank the distinguished speakers on agenda items 52 to 56 under the decolonization cluster. Mr. Chair, 66 years have passed since the General Assembly adopted Resolution 1514. the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. And 65 years have passed since the establishment of the Special Committee on Decolonization. Yet, 17 non-self-governing territories remain. The international community cannot treat the incompleteness of the decolonization agenda as an anomaly to be managed. It is a failure to be corrected. For Mozambique, decolonization is not merely history. It is our lived experience. We fought for our independence and for the inalienable right of the Mozambican people to self-determination, sovereignty, and freedom from colonial domination. That right belongs equally to every people on earth. It cannot be conditional on geography, population size, or the political convenience of administering powers. This principle is non-negotiable. We therefore attach particular importance to the completion of the decolonization agenda. The Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, 2021-2030, was proclaimed as an opportunity to accelerate action towards final completion of the decolonization process. That acceleration has not materialized. Declarations without implementation are rhetoric, not policy. It is in this context that Resolution 75/123 provides a renewed opportunity to accelerate action. Mozambique, therefore, calls upon the international community and the United Nations in particular to first, fully and expeditiously implement Resolution 1514 and all relevant United Nations resolutions on this issue. Second, provide the Special Committee on Decolonization with adequate and predictable financial and technical resources to effectively discharge its mandate. Third, administering powers United Nations bodies and agencies and all relevant stakeholders must demonstrate genuine commitment to enabling self-determination, not managing its deferral. This means concrete timelines, democratic process in the territories themselves, and transparent reporting on progress. Anything less is continuation of domination by other means. Fourth, The United Nations system, from the Security Council to the General Assembly to the agencies, must treat unfinished decolonization with the urgency it deserves. Two cases exemplify this imperative. Palestine remains under occupation despite decades of resolutions. Western Sahara, despite the Secretary-General's personal envoy and multiple UN mechanisms, await a self-determination referendum promised in 1990. Neither situation represents the post-colonial order the Charter promised. Therefore, we reaffirm that the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, remains the only viable path to a just and lasting peace in the region. We commend the efforts of the Secretary-General's personal envoy in facilitating dialogue on the question of Western Sahara and encourage the parties to continue their engagement in good faith within the framework of the United Nations and in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions. Fifth and lastly, young people in the remaining territories must participate meaningfully in determining their political future. they should be empowered to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future in the territories concerned. Mr. Chair, the completion of decolonization agenda tests whether the United Nations remain faithful to the principle of its founding or whether it has become a forum where historic injustices are merely managed and never resolved. Therefore, Mozambique stands ready to work with all member states toward finally closing this unfinished chapter of colonialism to closure. The peoples of non-self-governing territories have waited long enough. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [1:24:40]: I thank the distinguished representative of Mozambique. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso [1:24:54]: Mr. Chairman, the delegation of Burkina Faso would like to congratulate you on your election to chair the Fourth Committee, as well as congratulate the members of the Bureau. We would like to assure you of the for full support and cooperation of our delegation. Mr. Chairman, while we are examining the item on decolonization, we would like to recall that Burkina Faso, in the framework of its people's progressive revolution, endorses the principles of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all states. That is, Burkina Faso attaches particular attention to the issues of decolonization and complete independence of states who should be treated in conformity with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and in the Declaration on Decolonization. Furthermore, under the leadership of Comrade Captain Ibrahim Traore, President of Faso, Head of State, Burkina Faso has taken the decision since 2022 to take full control of our destiny and to free ourselves once and for all of the chains of pseudo-independence to which we were subjected to for a long time because we believe that each state must be able to decide for itself regarding its political, economic, and social choices regarding the management of its resources and the choice of its partners. Now, we know it and regret at the same time that there is still resistance to our choices. This takes the form of terrorism that is financed by certain states, which are still nostalgic for their former privileges, and they refuse the fact of the emancipation of our people. They must understand that In Burkina Faso, just as in the region of the Confederation of the States of Sahel, which includes the Republic of Mali, Niger, and my country, Burkina Faso, that in that region, independence and the sovereignty of our states are total and irreversible. Mr. Chairman, on the specific issue of Western Sahara, Burkina Faso applauds the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in favor of developing the southern provinces through significant investment aimed at making this region an economic and logistical hub for the benefit of the populations living there and for the entire region. These achievements, and in particular in the sphere of infrastructure, health care, and education, including diversifying educational options and strengthening higher education infrastructure, clearly demonstrate the will of Morocco to achieve an inclusive and lasting development. as well as the specific attention paid to improving the living conditions of the people of Western Sahara. Mr. Chairman, Burkina Faso would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our support for the political process underway, conducted under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with a view to achieving a mutually acceptable political solution, a negotiated solution of the dispute. On this point, we welcome the mandate of the personal envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, who is leading the efforts at mediation and is leading the diplomatic efforts of the United Nations in the process regarding the Western Sahara. We encourage and we applaud all regular negotiations conducted with the stakeholders involved in order to find a successful solution to the crisis. We also welcome the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2797, and we urge all actors to work towards its implementation and to always prefer the diplomatic path. For this purpose, the autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco is the basis of a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. It is urgent to reach a solution to this dispute. And in fact, to reach a solution that would open prospects for greater cooperation between the member states of the Union of the Arab Maghreb, while fostering the stability and development of the region, and in particular, bolstering security in the Sahel. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [1:31:22]: I thank the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cote d'Ivoire. You have the floor. Côte d’Ivoire [1:31:33]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair, Cote d'Ivoire would first of all like to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Kolieseck and the other members of the Bureau on their election. And assure them of its full support. We would also like to commend the constant efforts made by this committee to implement the declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, and to reiterate its readiness to contribute to the success of our work. We commend the significant contribution of the Special Committee on Decolonization, the C-24, to the implementation of the aforementioned declaration. Mr. Chair, regarding the question of Moroccan Sahara, my delegation would like to make the following observations. Like many Member States, Cote d'Ivoire believes that the time is ripe to intensify efforts aimed at putting an end to this dispute through dialogue, realism and compromise. In this regard, the adoption in 2025 of Security Council Resolution 2797 constitutes a milestone for finding a lasting solution to a status quo that has lasted for several decades. This text, indeed, reaffirms the exclusively UN nature of the pursuit of a peaceful and lasting solution based on the Moroccan autonomy plan. We therefore commend the good offices of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and those of his personal envoy for the Sahara, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to contribute to settling this long-standing regional dispute. Cote d'Ivoire encourages them to continue their initiatives aimed at facilitating the resumption and consolidation of the political process. And in this spirit, we call upon Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario Front to engage with determination and good faith in this process. Mr. Chair, Cote d'Ivoire welcomes the international momentum in favor of the Moroccan autonomy plan and reaffirms its full support for this initiative, which is today supported by around 130 states, including three permanent members of the Security Council. In our view, this initiative is a serious and credible proposal which provides a framework that allows us to take into account the specifics of Moroccan Sahara and to support the participation of its population in the management of the political, economic, and social affairs of the region. Cote d'Ivoire also notes the efforts made by the Moroccan authorities in the area of economic and social development and initiatives aimed at promoting and strengthening the protection of human rights in the region. In this regard, strengthening the role of the regional human rights commissions of Laayoune and Dakhla, as well as cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, are elements which deserve to be encouraged. All of these initiatives, and that was not an exhaustive list, demonstrate the efforts being made by the Kingdom of Morocco to promote development and governance in the region. It is also in this spirit that my country opened a Consulate General in Laayoune. This demonstrates Cote d'Ivoire's desire to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations and to the economic and social development of the region, Mr. Chair. Cote d'Ivoire remains nevertheless concerned by reports of difficulties related to the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps. In this regard, my delegation would like to reiterate the importance of the registration and census of the population there, in line with the appeals made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the relevant provisions of international law, and Security Council resolutions. Similarly, my delegation would like to stress the importance of the security and stability of the region, as well as strengthening MINUSO's capacity to carry out its primary role of supervising the ceasefire in the best possible conditions Mr. chair in conclusion my country would once again like to reiterate its call upon all of these stakeholders to demonstrate realism a spirit of compromise and good faith to achieve a realistic pragmatic and lasting political solution to this dispute around Moroccan Sahara in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council Koutiba reaffirms in regard its commitment to the process conducted under the United Nations auspices and its readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at achieving a lasting political settlement of this question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [1:36:34]: I thank the distinguished representative of Cote d'Ivoire, and I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru. Peru [1:36:46]: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The work of the Special Decolonization Committee will mark 65 years in November this year. Currently, the United Nations is considering 17 non-self-governing territories in a colonial situation. whose exercise of the right of free determination and access to independence is on the pending agenda of this committee. Peru has always been consistent in supporting this agenda by following a foreign policy that favors multilateralism aimed at putting an end to all colonialism. This is why we assign extremely high importance to the need to evaluate the situation of each territory under consideration in line with its specificities, its development and specific conditions. I would therefore like to touch upon two issues that are on the agenda of the Special Decolonization Committee. Sixty-three years ago, the committee began dealing with the issue of Western Sahara, and up to now, it has not been possible to reach an acceptable solution acceptable for all parties, in spite of the efforts at mediation that have been conducted by the UN. Peru would like to reiterate that it continues to be essential that the question of Western Sahara be resolved in a peaceful way through the mechanisms of the resolution of disputes and in line with international law and the framework of the UN. With this in mind, the government of Peru supports resolution 2797 of 2025, adopted by the Security Council on the 31st of October of 2025, and that this resolution, after six decades, envisions with absolute pragmatism, the possibility that the parties reach a solution to the dispute that is just, realistic, lasting, and acceptable, based on the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, and taking as a basis the autonomy plan presented by Morocco to the Secretary-General on the 11th of April of 2007. The Government of Peru appreciates the presentation by Morocco of a detailed proposed autonomy plan during the negotiating rounds that were held in Washington and Madrid this year. Mr. Chairman, now I would like to refer also with the utmost objectivity to the question of the Malvinas, South Georgia, South Sandwich, and the surrounding maritime areas. The particularity of the situation of the Malvinas Islands has been amply described in Resolutions 2065, 3160, 31/49 of the General Assembly as a sovereignty dispute over the islands between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Therefore, it must be resolved through direct negotiations between the parties. in application of the principles of the UN Charter. The statements of Peru on this important matter have been and will continue to be consistent in defending the legitimate sovereignty rights that belong to the Republic of Argentina over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, including the surrounding maritime areas. The aforementioned is based on historic, geographic, and legal criteria that are based on the right of sovereignty and possession of the Malvinas Islands by the Republic of Argentina that has been exercised fully since it became independent. Consequently, based on this approach, we endorse the statements made by Uruguay representing the community of Latin America and the Caribbean states, CELAC, also of the Common Market of the South America, and G77 and China, as well as the statement made by my country on behalf of the Brasilia Consensus last Friday. We are convinced that promoting confidence-building measures will contribute to creating conditions so that dialogue is resumed for consultations and eventually direct negotiations. It is also essential for the parties to refrain from adopting decisions that imply the introduction of unilateral modifications to the current situation of the islands, including the exploration and extraction of natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable. Peru encourages and reiterates how important it is that negotiations be resumed on this dispute in compliance with the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter on the peaceful resolution of disputes with the ultimate aim of achieving a definitive solution to this dispute. Thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [1:42:04]: I thank the distinguished representative of Peru. I now give the state to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia [1:42:18]: Mr. Chair. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on your election to preside over the Fourth Committee for this year. We emphasize our confidence that you are able to achieve the aspirations of the Member States and we reiterate our full support for your efforts. Mr. Chair. The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to express its support for the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Morocco in order to find a realistic political resolution for the matter of the Moroccan Sahara on a basis of consensus and Security Council resolutions. We reaffirm our support for the Moroccan autonomy plan. on the basis of territorial integrity as a solution that is consistent with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions and international law and GA resolutions. This is an initiative that the Security Council welcomed. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports the efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco in order to achieve a resolution for this regional dispute. emphasize the importance of wisdom and realism and the spirit of consensus within all parties, and we must reach a solution to achieve stability in the region. Mr. Chair, we would like to refer to a point that is not being discussed under items of decolonization, but also is concerned with the matter of sovereignty, which is, namely, the occupation and seizure of land in violation of the UN Charter. In this regard, We condemn Iran's continued occupation of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tun Islands in the Arabian Gulf in violation of the rights of the UAE, which undermines regional peace and stability. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [1:44:01]: I would like to thank the distinguished. Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan. Just a moment, please. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, you have the floor. Pakistan [1:44:39]: Thank you very much. My apologies. I congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and the Bureau on your election and assure you of Pakistan's full support. Decolonization remains an urgent imperative of justice for all peoples still living under alien domination and foreign occupation. Enshrined in Article 1 of the UN Charter and reaffirmed In General Assembly resolution 1514, the right to self-determination must be upheld universally. Its realization cannot depend on the power of an occupying state or the political convenience of others. More than 80 former colonies have gained independence since the UN was established. Yet 17 non-self-governing territories remain on its agenda. Pakistan supports the work of this committee and the Special Committee on Decolonization and urges administering powers to advance this process in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned. Since independence, Pakistan has stood firmly with people struggling to determine their own future. Chair, settler colonialism remains an enduring reality in certain occupied territories. The promise of self-determination also remains unfulfilled for the peoples of occupied Palestine and Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Palestinian tragedy remains a profound test of our commitment to the Charter. Decades of occupation and dispossession, compounded by Gaza's devastation, have inflicted intolerable suffering. Despite the ceasefire, Continuing violence, displacement, and restrictions on assistance perpetuate the humanitarian catastrophe. Since October last year, more than 1,400 have been killed. The ceasefire must be fully implemented. Humanitarian assistance must flow safely, unimpeded, and at scale, with UNRWA enabled to fulfill its mandate. Pakistan supports the Gaza peace plan and implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803. Recovery must uphold Palestinian ownership and Gaza's unity with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Forced displacement and demographic alteration must be rejected. Meanwhile, illegal settlements, organized settler violence, and land seizures threaten the two-state solution. The E1 project would undermine Palestinian territorial contiguity. These actions must stop. Lastly, Peace requires an end to occupation and an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. Chair, the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir also await a right solemnly promised by the United Nations. Security Council resolutions provide for a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. India and Pakistan accepted this framework. Time does not extinguish these commitments. Heavy militarization with more than 900,000 troops deployed, alongside extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, continue to oppress the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India's illegal measures of 5th August 2019 and subsequent unilateral actions cannot alter Jammu and Kashmir's internationally recognized disputed status. Domestic legislation and sham electoral exercises cannot substitute for self-determination. India must halt these violations, release detained political leaders and human rights defenders, reverse its unlawful measures imposed in the occupied territory since 5th August 2019, allow independent international human rights scrutiny, and implement UN Security Council resolutions to ensure that Kashmiri people realize their right to self-determination. Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with all its neighbors. Durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. The international community must actively advance this objective. Pakistan will continue its political, diplomatic, and moral support for their legitimate struggle. Chair. The unfinished agenda of decolonization demands concrete action. The United Nations must ensure that its resolutions are implemented and the rights it proclaims are realized. For people still awaiting freedom, the Charter's promise must become a lived reality. I thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [1:49:37]: I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor. To the permanent representative of. Iraq [1:49:49]: Mr. Chair, allow me at the outset to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on leading the work of the Fourth Committee. Mr. Chair, Iraq, as a founding member of the United Nations and a member participating in drafting its Charter, believes that its provisions is a principled standard for multilateralism. Iraq over its lifetime in the organization supported the right of countries and peoples to self-determination refusing colonization and foreign domination proceeding from our belief that the right of people to Independence um uh is an important rule-based system in this vein Iraq stresses that the UN Charter's purposes and principles and in right of all peoples to self-determination as well as the full implementation of a declaration on granting independence to colonial countries and peoples as present in GA resolution 1514 of 1960 is the base that should underpin our international efforts to ensure decolonization. Mr. Chair, the United Nations have gone a long way in the path to decolonization. However, it The presence of 17 non-self-governing territories is a reminder, unfortunately, that the mission has not been concluded yet. Therefore, the credibility of the decolonization agenda cannot be measured by its ability to reiterate the principles we've agreed upon. Rather, it depends on our ability to translate such commitments into a measurable, sustainable progress that takes into consideration the specificity of each territory and the ambitions and needs of every people. It should be in line with relevant UN resolutions and resolutions of the GA. In this vein, we stress the need for the Special Committee on Decolonization to uphold its mandate and promote cooperation between the Special Committee and different specialized UN organs and people's concern to address each case on its own, thus reaching practical solutions. Um, Mr. Chair, we stress the need to, um, provide the necessary information and adequate ones and, uh, sending missions and visits to the, um, territories concerned in cooperation and coordination with, uh, the parties so that we can… learn the socio-economic situation of those people and know what needs further international support. Promoting transparency, the exchange of information and listening to the people's concern must be primary elements in the work of the committee. Decolonization must be moved from reiterating our commitment to a practical path leading to tangible results. Turning to the economic activities and other activities that are pertinent to the interests of non-self-governing territories, we stress that those peoples have the right to benefit from their natural resources. Such resources must not be used in any way that prejudice their right to such resources or its future. Sustainable socio-economic development must be part and parcel of the decolonization effort, the specialized agencies and international institutions affiliated to the UN must contribute in a greater manner to support capacity building and providing necessary services while promoting health, education and infrastructure, thus establishing the conditions conducive to meeting the legitimate aspirations of those people. In this vein, international cooperation and responsible investment must be in synergy with international law and the interests of people's concern. This will contribute in enhancing livelihood and promoting sustainable development. Mr. Chair, we cannot address decolonization without reiterating the Palestinian question and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish their independent sovereign statehood in line with UN Charter and resolutions of international legitimacy. Iraq reiterates the need to end the occupation and respect international law and international humanitarian law. We have to protect civilians and reject any attempt to impose a new status quo or change the demographic nature of the occupied Palestinian territory. Iraq reiterates that sustainable, just, and permanent peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, which will lead to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, Palestinian state in line with relevant international resolutions. Mr. Chair, Iraq calls upon the Fourth Committee to continue its effort with a constructive and pragmatic spirit to move from reiterating commitments to promoting implementation mechanisms, moving from resolutions to results, and from general principles to actual measures that take into consideration the specificities of each case, meeting the aspirations of the people concerned. In this vein, we stress our support to promoting cooperation between the Specialized Committees on Decolonization and the concerned territories, as well as UN agencies and relevant international organizations to strengthen capacity building, sustainable development, protecting natural resources, and achieving tangible progress in decolonization. Mr. Chair, to conclude, Iraq reiterates its commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and the right of all peoples to self-determination. through the full implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The continued presence of non-self-governing territories represents a reminder of our common responsibility to finish the job unfinished. Thus, we stress that the credibility of the decolonization agenda will always be linked to our collective ability to turn the principles of the Charter and the UN resolutions to tangible progress that is measurable and sustainable. It must respond to the aspirations of the people of those territories while preserving their rights. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [1:56:42]: I would like to thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq. And it's my honor to give the floor to the representative of the State of Kuwait. Kuwait [1:56:57]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, at the outset, uh, my delegation aligns itself to the statement of the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the GCC states in the items related to decolonization, the delegation of this. of Kuwait would like to congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of the Fourth Committee. We wish you and the members of the Bureau all the success in assuming this responsibility. My delegation is proud that the State of Kuwait is the vice chair of the committee. We look forward to continue to cooperate with you and all delegations to ensure the success of our work and achieve our objectives. The State of Kuwait stresses its principled position that supports the efforts of the UN aimed at decolonization in all its forms and manifestations, proceeding from our strong belief in the right of peoples to self-determination and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. We must abide by the principles of the UN Charter and the provisions of international law. We must ensure a peaceful settlement of disputes. Mr. Chair, the Palestinian question remains at the forefront of questions that necessitate the international community to shoulder its responsibility to end the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory. This will enable the brotherly Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights, those inalienable rights, foremost the right to self-determination and to establish an independent, sovereign state along the lines of the 4th of June of 1967. with East Jerusalem as its capital in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative as well as the two-state solution the state of Kuwait reiterates its condemnation of the continued uh violations uh of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people we categorically reject the settlement accession and forced displacement policies or any attempt at altering the legal and historic status quo on the Palestinian occupied territory, including East Jerusalem. The state of Kuwait also stresses the need to abide by the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure that humanitarian access is flowing without obstruction so that we can ensure the rehabilitation and reconstruction. This will pave the way for a just, permanent settlement of this crisis, ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Turning to the Moroccan Sahara, the State of Kuwait reiterates its support to the effort made by the United Nations, led by the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to reach a just, permanent, political solution accepted by all parties to this crisis. We support the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco. We welcome the resolution 2797 of the Security Council in 2025. We reiterate the need to continue the negotiations to ensure a final political settlement while promoting peace and stability in the region. Mr. Chair, turning to the Iranian occupation of the three Emirate islands, the State of Kuwait stresses its principled position that condemns the Iranian occupation of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, which are part of the brotherly UAE. The State of Kuwait reiterates its full support to the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates on all three islands, as well as its territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and the exclusive economic zone of those islands, which are integral parts of the territory of the United Arab Emirates. We also stress that any decisions or practices or actions undertaken by Iran on all three islands are null and void and will not alter the historic and legal facts that prove the sovereignty of the UAE on those islands. The state of Kuwait calls upon Iran to respond to the efforts of the brotherly United Arab Emirates to settle this issue peacefully either through direct negotiations or through deferring to the ICJ. And we call upon it to stop any measures or escalatory narrative that will not lead to build confidence or reach a just settlement of this cause. In this vein, the State of Kuwait reiterated strong condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting its territories and those of a number of neighboring countries in the region. We categorically reject any act that will prejudice the stability, safety, and sovereignty of countries. We call for greater adherence of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and the provisions of international law. and Security Council Resolution 2817, we and any acts or threats that would lead to further tension in the region must be stopped. The state of Kuwait also stresses the need to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and there is a need to stop any practices that threaten the commercial vessels or obstruct the navigation in that strait. We should ensure the safety this vital waterway and ensure the stability of global trade. To conclude, Mr. Chair, the State of Kuwait reiterates its commitment to the principles of the U.N. Charter. We support the efforts of the organization aimed at ending occupation and colonization with the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as well as the efforts to reach a just settlement of conflicts to promote international peace and security. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:03:37]: I would like to thank the honorable representative of the State of Kuwait and give the floor to His Excellency, Her Excellency, the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bahrain [2:03:50]: Mr. Chair, at the outset, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to you on your election as chair of the Fourth Committee. We wish you and all members of the Bureau all the success in your work. We would also like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Guatemala, for his valuable efforts in conducting the work of the Committee over the past session. The continuation of international effort to ensure the decolonization is of great importance, for it demonstrates our strong commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, foremost the right of people to self-determination, as well as the respect of the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of countries, and the non-interference in their internal affairs. The United Nations played a historic and important role in this vein, especially through the adoption of the General Assembly of the declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples in line with resolution 1514. Thus, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterated its principal support to the efforts aimed at ensuring the decolonization in line with the UN Charter and the resolutions of international legitimacy. Mr. Chair, The Kingdom of Bahrain is fully committed to support international effort aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the occupied Palestinian territory. In this vein, the Kingdom has become a founding member in the peace plan in line with the Security Council resolution 2025, which reflects our keenness to support all efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and promoting peace and stability in the region to ensure a just and permanent peace. The Kingdom stresses the need to build upon what has been achieved, especially the progress on the ceasefire to ensure the influx of humanitarian assistance without obstructions while supporting the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The Kingdom reiterates its principled position supporting the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their sovereign, independent state along the line of the 4th of June of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its that lives side by side with Israel in peace and security, in line with a two-state solution and the principles of international law, as well as the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. The Kingdom also expresses its deep concern over the accelerating developments in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, particularly the continued settlement expansions, settlement violence, and unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution. We stress that such violations must come to a stop. We have to provide the conditions conducive for a serious and credible political process. Mr. Chair, turning to the Moroccan Sahara, the Kingdom of Bahrain stresses its principled position supporting the sovereignty of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco and its territorial integrity. We support all efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco to reach a practical and permanent political solution under the auspices of the UN based on the autonomy plan of Morocco. This will be in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2797. Mr. Chair, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its principled position condemning the continued Iranian occupation of all three UAE islands, Greater Tomb, Lesser Tomb, and Abu Musa. We stress that the United Arab Emirates Uh, is, has full sovereignty over all three islands, as well as its territorial waters, airspace, continental shelves, and exclusive economic zone, since they are in, an integral parts of the territory of the United Arab Emirates. the kingdom calls on Iran once again to respond to the genuine and peaceful attempts of the United Arab Emirates to settle this question through direct negotiations or by referring the case to the International Court of Justice in line with the UN Charter the principles and the principles of international law the kingdom also stresses the need to ensure the peace um stability uh and movement of navigation and the Strait of Hormuz we call upon Iran to stop any act that obstruct the freedom of navigation, including in line with the Security Council resolutions and obligations of international law. To conclude, the Kingdom of Bahrain stresses that it will continue to support the efforts of the United Nations to ensure the decolonization and peaceful settlement of international disputes in line with the UN purposes and principles for the most the respect of the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, the respect of good neighbourliness and the non-interference in their internal affairs, which will promote international peace and security. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:08:55]: I would like to thank Her Excellency, the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Distinguished representative of Guyana. Guyana [2:09:05]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to congratulate you, the Chair and the other members of the Bureau of the Fourth Committee for the 81st session of the General Assembly on your election. I wish you success and assure you of my delegation's full support as we address the agenda items that have been allocated to this committee. I also take this opportunity to thank the Chair and other members of the Bureau for the 80th session for their work and efforts. Mr. Chair, Guyana aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished permanent representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis on behalf of the Caribbean community. Guyana affirms the fundamental right of all peoples everywhere to be free from subjugation, domination, and exploitation, and to exercise their right to self-determination. Eradicating colonialism should therefore remain one of the highest priorities of the United Nations, in keeping with the purposes and principles of the organization. Ghana therefore urges continued and dedicated efforts by the UN to promote and protect the right to self-determination and to end colonialism in all its forms everywhere. Mr. Chair, with 17 non-self-governing territories still on the UN's list, The work of this Committee must continue until all people everywhere are able to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. The Committee heard again this year the appeals by numerous petitioners from many of these territories, detailing the costs of their continued colonization, including violations of economic and other rights. Itself a former colony, Guyana fully understands the strong desire to be free to chart one's own course and therefore stands in solidarity with people across the world who are still to exercise this right. Mr. Chair, the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples clearly articulated that, and I quote, "Immediate steps shall be taken in trust and non-self-governing territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories without any conditions or reservations in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire." without any distinction as to race, creed, or color, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom." End of quote. It is against this background that Guyana reiterates its call for the speedy completion of the decolonization process, which is a key priority for this fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Ghana also encourages the administering powers to regularly communicate accurate information on each of the territories under their administration, pursuant to the obligations stemming from Article 73E of the Charter, to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of these territories, and to protect the human and natural resources of the territories against abuses. The natural resources of the non-self-governing territories are the heritage of its peoples and should not be exploited in any way that deprives the peoples of these territories of their right to dispose of these resources in a manner of their choosing. My delegation is also concerned by economic and other activities that have negative impacts on the interests of the peoples of the non-self-governing territories. We underscore that such activities are contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter and urge all administering Powers to adhere to their obligations in this respect. Guyana also urges all Member States to ensure that their nationals or business enterprises incorporated in their countries do not engage in any economic or other activities in these territories which negatively impact the interests of the peoples. Mr. Chair, GAN has taken note that several of the non-self-governing territories are small islands with extremely fragile economies and high vulnerability to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, cyclones, and sea level rise. We therefore call on the administering powers to ensure that these small islands have adequate resources to both mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and to adapt to changes brought on by the phenomenon. These islands must receive adequate support to build and maintain resilience. Ghana also encourages the specialized agencies and other entities within the UN system, as well as regional organizations, to continue providing the necessary assistance to those territories for emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. Ghana views this as critical to the sustainable development aspirations of the populations of these small islands and urges all efforts to ensure they are not left behind. Mr. Chair, as a matter of principle, Ghana reaffirms its support for the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly on the question of Western Sahara. We urge all parties to respect and uphold the provisions of these resolutions and note that a solution to this long-standing dispute would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region. We also continue to stress respect for the right of the Palestinian people to determine their own future and the responsibility of the international community to uphold and protect that right. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, I reiterate my government's unwavering commitment to all General Assembly and Security Council resolutions aimed at bringing an end to colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. Please count on Guyana's principled support to this end. I thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [2:15:21]: I thank the distinguished representative of Guyana, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Gabon. Please. Gabon [2:15:35]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, representatives, Gabon would like to thank you for convening this meeting on the question of Moroccan Sahara. In this regard, like many other countries, Gabon once again welcomes the adoption of resolution 2797. which advances a new momentum in the settlement of the regional dispute over Moroccan Sahara on the exclusive basis of the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty. Since 2007, my country has considered that this Moroccan autonomy initiative constitutes a serious and credible basis for reaching a negotiated solution in respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco and regional stability. This initiative provides a framework that is in accordance with international law, the resolutions of the Security Council, and the legitimate aspirations of the region's population. My delegation reaffirms here and now its commitment to this realistic, pragmatic, and sustainable political solution that is based on compromise. Mr. Chair, we believe it is useful in this discussion to commend the significant socio-economic progress made in the southern provinces by the government of Morocco, as well as efforts aimed at strengthening human rights and local democratic participation. This progress is helping to improve living conditions, strengthen governance and consolidate regional stability. The opening of Gabon's Consulate General in Laayoune demonstrates our desire to support this positive momentum and is part of a set of actions undertaken by a growing number of countries from every continent. Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, my country would also like to express its support for the Secretary-General and his personal envoy for their efforts and the laudable progress made on this question. with respect for UN principles. And finally, Gabon reiterates its commitment to regional peace and stability and encourages all of the parties to continue their constructive engagement in the political processes under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations. Thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [2:18:09]: I thank the distinguished representative of Gabon. And we have heard the last speaker in the general debate for this meeting. The exercise of the right of reply has been requested. Delegations are reminded of the maximum of two interventions, with the first intervention limited to five minutes and the second to three minutes. And now I call on the representative of Paraguay. You have five minutes. Paraguay [2:18:47]: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The delegation of Paraguay has requested the floor to make a statement with regard to the intervention made today on behalf of CELAC for this agenda item of the Fourth Committee. The delegation of Paraguay dissociates itself from the paragraphs on the topic of Puerto Rico and on the question of Western Sahara because it does not reflect the current position of the Republic of Paraguay. We respectfully request that the current declaration of disassociation be recorded in the official meetings of this session and included in the corresponding report of this session. Thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [2:19:31]: I now call on the representative of the United Kingdom. You have five minutes. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [2:19:41]: I would like to exercise the right of reply to respond to the national statements of the distinguished representatives from Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua and Peru, and to the group statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Brazil, Belize and Uruguay. Once again, the United Kingdom has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas of both territories. The UK is steadfast in its support for the Falkland Islanders right of self-determination, which is enshrined in the UN Charter and article 1 of the two UN covenants on human rights. The Falkland Islanders have as much right as any other peoples to determine their political status and to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. The Falkland Islands has a diverse and growing population of over 60 nationalities, an active and proud democratic community and a healthy economy. The islanders have made clear their overwhelming wish for the Falkland Islands to remain a self-governing territory of the United Kingdom, including in the 2013 referendum, which was supervised by independent observers. I therefore re-emphasise that there can be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the Falkland islanders so wish. On references made to hydrocarbons, as I have just set out, the people of the Falkland Islands have freely and democratically chosen their future. They have every right to develop and manage their natural resources without intimidation, coercion or interference from others. This is a legitimate commercial venture working to some of the most stringent standards internationally, regulated under Falkland Islands law and conducted in full accordance with international law, including UNCLOS. Efforts to obstruct such lawful economic activity are not acts of responsible international engagement; they are deliberate attempts to undermine the prosperity and economic security of a self-governing people. To conclude, the United Kingdom will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Falkland Islands Government and the Falkland Islanders. We will robustly defend their wishes, their economy and their right to determine their own future. Second, I would like to respond to the statement of the distinguished representative from Spain on Gibraltar. First, the UK welcomes the agreement in respect of Gibraltar between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which was signed in Brussels on 14 July this year. It reflects a new era of co-operation, trust and respect between the UK, the EU, Spain and Gibraltar. The UK encourages all parties to build on this positive momentum in order to further strengthen co-operation and foster a mutually beneficial relationship based on solidarity, dialogue and shared prosperity. As the distinguished representative from Spain also referred, the agreement is, however, without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the United Kingdom and of Spain with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction. The agreement reaffirms that those positions remain unchanged. In that vein, the United Kingdom recalls its sovereignty over Gibraltar and the territorial waters surrounding it, and reaffirms that, as a separate territory recognised by the United Nations and included since 1946 in its list of non-self-governing territories, it enjoys the rights accorded to it under the UN Charter. The United Kingdom also recalls that the people of Gibraltar enjoy the right of self-determination. The 2006 Gibraltar constitution, which was endorsed in a referendum by the people of Gibraltar, provides for a modern and mature relationship between Gibraltar and the UK. The Government of the United Kingdom restates its long-standing commitment to the people of Gibraltar that it will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. The United Kingdom also confirms that it will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. The United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to safeguard Gibraltar, its people and its economy. Thank you, Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:23:54]: And now I call on the representative of Spain. You have the floor. Spain [2:24:01]: Muchas gracias. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I would like to respond to the intervention in right of reply that has just been made by the representative of the United Kingdom. Mr. Chair, this organization has on numerous occasions pointed out that Gibraltar is a colony that negatively affects the national unity and territorial integrity of Spain and which is incompatible with resolution 1514 and therefore is included on the list of 17 non-self-governing territories that are awaiting decolonization. There is only one path forward and that is the one provided for by this organization, which is that Spain and the United Kingdom, in accordance with the United Nations, begin negotiations and comply with the purposes of the Special Committee on Decolonization. only the United Nations can decide when the process of decolonization of Gibraltar has been concluded. Resolution 2353 affirms in that regard that all colonial situation that partially or entirely destroys the national unity and territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and specifies that the decolonization of Gibraltar should be guided by the principle of territorial integrity. Therefore, the General Assembly condemned the 1967 referendum organized by the administering power without the backup of the United Nations and signaling that it contravened various of its resolutions, including 1514. In sum, the General Assembly has been clear in denying the existence of a supposed right to self-determination of a supposed people of Gibraltar. At the same time, as we have already affirmed in our statement, Spain is the one suffering from the colonization of its territory. Spain is subject to the decolonization of it via the restitution of its national unity and territorial integrity, and therefore Spain rejects any attempt by the administering power and by the authorities of the colonized territory to alter its political relationship to claim that there is no colonial situation, while also claiming a hypothetical right to self-determination and its removal from the list of non-self-governing territories. There is no modern relationship. Rather, it is a colonial situation in new clothes. We also reiterate the fact that Spain does not recognize that the United Kingdom has any rights related to the spaces of Gibraltar that are not included in Article 10 of the Utrecht Treaty of 1713, which only ceded the city and the fortress of Gibraltar together with its ports, defenses, and fortresses, and nothing more. The United Kingdom without title is occupying a portion of that as well as a portion of Spanish territorial sea, having… extended that to include a part of the landing strip of Gibraltar airport. Spain has always protested in a continuous, unequivocal, and formal way this occupation that is contrary to public international law. The British claim to extend their sovereignty from Gibraltar over to the surrounding waters has no basis in the Utrecht Treaty or in international law as a whole, and this question was subject to a Spanish declaration when it ratified the Convention on the Law of the Sea. Spain has no doubt over the limits of its territory and therefore the waters adjacent to Gibraltar are Spanish territorial waters in which Spanish state ships operate as normal and have done since time immemorial without that having been criticised until very recently because of these supposed incidents. Indeed, the agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom over Gibraltar signed on the 14th of July, began its provisional implementation on the 15th of July and aims to create a shared zone of prosperity to benefit the citizens of the region. But it was established without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with respect to the sovereignty and jurisdiction. Therefore, regardless of the solution reached in order to structure the United Kingdom's relations with respect to Gibraltar following Brexit, particularly with vis-a-vis Campo de Gibraltar, we reiterate that when it comes to the question of Gibraltar, there is no solution other than a decolonization process that is negotiated between Spain and the United Kingdom according to the terms established by the United Nations. This is a process for which Spain remains totally ready. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [2:28:54]: And now I'd like to call on the representative of India. You have the floor. India [2:29:03]: Chair, it is regrettable that Pakistan continues to abuse this August forum by peddling lies and falsehoods about the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. We call upon Pakistan to stop the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources. In the last few months, the Pakistani armed forces and their proxies have killed dozens of innocent civilians who were agitating for their basic rights and freedoms and basic necessities. A country like Pakistan with an established record of military dictatorship, sham election, incarceration of popular elected leaders, religious extremism, and sponsoring terrorism as an instrument of state policy. should in future refrain from preaching homilies at this platform. Jammu and Kashmir is and always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. I thank you, Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:30:20]: And now, I'd like to call on the representative of Pakistan. You have five minutes. Pakistan [2:30:32]: Thank you, Chair. We are compelled to respond to yet another exercise in denial and distortion by the Indian delegation. Pakistan addressed this committee on the UN Charter, the Security Council's resolutions, and the right of self-determination. India answered with a rehearsed catalog of accusations and falsehoods, an attempt to hide facts, reality, and the legal record on Jammu and Kashmir. A barrage of false and ludicrous assertions is no answer to a question of law. Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor an internal matter. Repetition cannot rewrite history, occupation cannot create sovereignty, and denial cannot erase an internationally recognized dispute. Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute before the United Nations. Numerous Security Council resolutions reaffirm the principle that Jammu and Kashmir's future will be decided by its people through exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination. Let me remind the Indian delegation, Security Council resolutions do not come with an expiry date. International obligations do not disappear because India finds them inconvenient. India also repeatedly attempts the absurd comparison between Azad Kashmir and Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The contrast could not be clearer. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiris live freely and express themselves. They protest. They participate in political life. They raise their voices. In Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, political voices are silenced, dissent is criminalized, Thousands have faced detention, demographic changes are imposed, and fundamental right to self-determination remains denied. The real question is, will India honor Security Council resolutions? Will it honor Article 25 of the UN Charter and allow the promised free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of UN? India's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir with its 900,000 troops, cannot extinguish the Kashmiri people's rights and erase the Security Council's resolutions. I thank you, Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:33:09]: And now I'd like to call on the representative of Iran. You have the floor. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:33:16]: Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Mr. Chair. My delegation wishes to exercise its right of reply. as the distinguished representatives of Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have referred to the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf and the situation in the region, repeating the same baseless claim against my country's territorial integrity and its sovereignty. We must reiterate that this august body is not the appropriate platform to raise unfounded allegations that introduce territorial issues into the debate. Such statements are unnecessary and only serve to divert the Committee from its substantive work. Mr Chair, regarding the three Iranian islands, It is surprising that a few delegations continue to reiterate the same rhetoric in this committee, despite the fact that no internationally recognized dispute or colonial situation exists concerning these islands. Repetition of non-factual assertions cannot alter established realities. My delegation strongly and categorically rejects any statement that undermines the territorial integrity of my country. For the record and as a clear response, we emphasize that three Iranian, three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Toman, and Lesser Toman are an integral part of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran over which our country exercises full and undisputed sovereignty. Mr. Chair, we underline that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including over the aforementioned islands, is not negotiable. All measures undertaken on these islands by Iranian authorities have consistently been carried out in full conformity with international law, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Regarding the allegations directed at my country in connection with the current situation in the region, my delegation rejects these claims in their entirety. My delegation wishes to underscore that such rhetoric presents our actions in isolation, disregarding the sustained aggressions against our people, particularly since 28th of February, and the circumstances under which my country was compelled to respond in the exercise of its inherent right under Article 51st of the United Nations Charter. Although my country, Iran, shares no border with the aggressors, Their military facilities located in neighboring territories, as well as routes through our region, including the Strait of Hormuz, have been used in connection with attacks against our people, a reality supported by multiple pieces of conclusive evidence. As previously stated, Mr. Chair, my country has acted strictly within the framework of its inherent right of self-defense. Our actions have been directed solely at military sites used in connection with attacks against our people and civilian infrastructure. We firmly reject any attempt to portray the defense of our people as hostility toward neighboring countries. My country regards the states of our region as partners in a shared and stable future. Such partnerships carry both responsibility and mutual obligations. No state's territory or facilities should be used to enable attacks against another. We therefore encourage neighboring countries to remain vigilant against divisive and colonial narratives aimed at obscuring the serious crimes committed against the peoples of our region. We call on these states to take effective measures to prevent the use of their territory for hostile acts against others and to engage with us directly on the security concerns that affect all of us in the region. Last but not least, Mr. Chair, I wish to reiterate that the name Persian Gulf is firmly rooted in millennia of historical usage and is consistently applied across official United Nations cartographic and legal practice. UN standardization guidelines and authoritative geographical references confirm that this designation is neither arbitrary nor open to political reinterpretation. Accordingly, Persian Gulf remains the only internationally recognized and technically accurate name for this body of water, and no fabricated or improvised name should be used by any delegation in its place. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:38:08]: Now I'd like to call on the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain. She has the floor. Bahrain · GCC [2:38:22]: Said al-Rais. Mr. Chair, we exercise our right of reply on behalf of the states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. In response to what the Iranian delegate said regarding the three Emirati islands, we reject what was said in the statement of the Iranian delegate regarding these islands. We stress yet again that the three islands, Greater Toman, Lesser Toman, and Abu Musa, which are located in the Arab Gulf, are part and parcel of the UAE. They are occupied by Iran. We also support the right of sisterly UAE of sovereignty on these islands, territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and the exclusive economic zone of these three islands. These are integral part of the territories of the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, we stress that any practices, resolutions, or actions taken by Iran on these islands are null and void. They do not change the historical realities or the legal reality. They all are unanimous as to the sovereignty the UAE on these three islands. We call on Iran to respond to the efforts by the UAE to resolve this issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the ICJ. Chair, I exercise my right of reply now on a national capacity. And in response to what was said by the Iranian delegate regarding the Strait of Hormuz, we reject categorically all the allegations regarding the use of our territory to launch attacks against Iran. We stress Just that we are not party to the hostilities. We did not take part in these hostilities directly or indirectly. We also confirm that these allegations will not distract from Iran's obligations pursuant to international law as well as Security Council resolutions, most notably 2817 of the Security Council. This resolution was supported broadly by 136 member states in the United Nations. This resolution condemned the blatant attacks by against the countries of the region. It asked Iran to cease these attacks and any actions or threats that would jeopardize navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We also recall the resolution of the Human Rights Council 61.1 that was adopted in March without a vote. It condemned the Iranian attacks and their impact on human rights. It called on Iran to unconditionally stop its attacks and its provocation against the Kingdom of Bahrain and other countries in the region. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:41:06]: I thank the distinguished. Delegate of the Kingdom of Bahrain. And now the floor to the distinguished representative of Argentina. You have five minutes. Argentina [2:41:21]: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. In response to what was said by the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom on the question of the Malvinas Islands, I wish to recall that the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas are an integral part of the Argentine national territory. and are illegally occupied by the United Kingdom and are subject to a sovereignty dispute recognized by the United Nations. The General Assembly in its resolution 2065 recognized the existence of a sovereignty dispute and urged the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute as a way towards the decolonization of the territory. The Special Committee on Decolonization has repeatedly pronounced itself to the same effect the last time in June of this year. The principle of self-determination is not applicable to the Malvinas Islands. The United Nations has characterized this question as a special and particular case of decolonization, the solution to which requires a negotiation between the two states that are party to the dispute, taking duly into account the interests of the inhabitants of the islands. Self-determination cannot be used to turn a population that is established by the occupying power into the arbiter in a sovereignty dispute in which that same power is a party, nor to retrospectively validate a situation that was begun through an act of force. Mr. Chair. It is solely the power of the General Assembly and not the administering power to take a position on the means of free and authentic expression of a territory where it's appropriate, including the formulation of questions put to consultation. In consequence, the carrying out of a supposed referendum lacks any legal value. Chair, in accordance with international law, the parties to a dispute should refrain from introducing unilateral modifications into the situation while the dispute is awaiting settlement, nor adopt measures that exacerbate the dispute. In the context of the Malvinas question, that obligation is reflected in resolution 3149 of the General Assembly, which expressly urged the two parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands are going through the process recommended by the United Argentina rejects all characterization according to which anything that would construct an obstacle to this. The measures adopted in accordance with national regulations and international law constitute the legitimate exercise of its sovereign rights in the face of unilateral acts of exploitation and exploration of natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, which are incompatible with the resolution 3149 of the General Assembly of the United Nations international law. and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Far from hindering the well-being of the inhabitants of the islands, the Argentine Republic respects their way of life and their interests in accordance with the mandate established in its national constitution and in United Nations resolutions. Their prosperity, however, cannot be rooted in the illegitimate exploitation and exploration of natural resources that belong to the Argentine people as a whole and which are located in a disputed area. Mr. Chair, the announcement made in December 2025 regarding the intention to begin hydrocarbon exploration activities in the disputed area constitutes a unilateral act that is potentially irreversible, given that these are non-renewable natural resources. Faced with this situation, Argentina categorically rejects these actions and affirms its legitimate right to, with full respect to international law, take the necessary measures in the face of non-authorized actions for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources. Mr. Chair, Argentina reiterates its full readiness to resume substantive bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom in accordance with resolution 2065. Our country reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, to effective multilateralism and to a world order that is based in rules. We urge the United Kingdom to fulfil its decolonization obligations and to immediately cease its failures to comply with international law. The Argentine Republic reaffirms its legitimate sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. Thank you very much. 4th Committee · Chair [2:46:14]: Now I call on the representative of South Africa. South Africa [2:46:21]: Thank you, Chair. South Africa just want to request Brazil to clarify their statement with regards to supporting the Moroccan Autonomy Plan on the position on Western Sahara. I heard Brazil saying the group of ZOPAC supports the Moroccan Autonomy Plan. I just want the clarity. Just to be clear, South Africa supports fully the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination. Thank you. 4th Committee · Chair [2:47:01]: I now call on the representative of Brazil. You have five minutes. Brazil [2:47:08]: Thank you very much, Chair. Just to clarify, our statement on behalf of ZOPAC has made no mention of Morocco. It was purely about the Malvinas Islands. 4th Committee · Chair [2:47:22]: Thank you. I now call on the representative of Iran for a second intervention. You have three minutes. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:47:39]: Thank you, Mr. Chair, for giving me the floor. My delegation takes the floor once again in response to the statement we just heard from representative of Bahrain. While categorically rejecting these baseless claims, my delegation wishes to reiterate once again that long before the UAE came into being, official documents and maps consistently identified these three islands as belonging to the territory of Iran. The intervention by these countries offer nothing that alters this established record. A claim does not acquire legal force through repetition, nor does raising it in this committee change the status of the territory whatsoever. Mr. Chair, the item before us concerns decolonization. This assertion, however, pertains to a claim of sovereignty over territories belonging to my country. Even when presented under this agenda item, it cannot be considered relevant to the subject matter of decolonization. We urge delegations not to conflate an unsupported territorial claim with the Committee's mandate concerning peoples and territories subject to colonial rule. In addition, regarding the situation in our region, we should stress that the rejection of foreign domination cannot be confined to its historical forms, while the security and resources of our region are exposed to the power of actors from outside the region and used by them for killing our families and children, a reality confirmed blatantly by aggressors and factual evidence. No neighbor security is strengthened when outside military actors are allowed to trade our region as a platform for confrontation. Nor can my country be expected to ignore attacks against its people while the circumstances enabling those attacks remain unaddressed. We respect the sovereignty of our neighboring states and expect equal regard for our own people's security. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to protect its people and calls on its neighbors to address these risks with the seriousness they demand. That is the basis on which a safer region can be built. I thank you. Speaker 65 [2:50:09]: Okay. 4th Committee · Chair [2:50:13]: I now give. The floor for a second exercise of right of reply for the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain. You have three minutes. Please go ahead. Bahrain · GCC [2:50:26]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am taking the floor to exercise our second right of reply on behalf of the GCC. We once more emphasize that any decisions or practices or action exercised by Iran on the three islands is null and void and cannot change the historical or legal realities that all culminate in proving the sovereignty of the UAE over the three islands, Abu Musa, the Greater Tomb, and the Lesser Tomb in the Arab Gulf. We call upon Iran once more to respond to the endeavors of the UAE to resolve the matter through direct negotiations or resorting to the ICJ. Mr. Chair, we reject any allegations aiming to delude the international community. We remind of the Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemns Iran. We call upon Iran to fully implement this resolution and to respect the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity and good neighborliness and refraining from interference in internal affairs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th Committee · Chair [2:51:39]: Thank you. Consultation with the Bureau. I wish to propose that in order to maximize the utilization of our conference services, we will start the consideration of the agenda item 124 entitled, "Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly," already on Tuesday, 13 October, immediately upon the conclusion of the general debate. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Further, The co-chairs of the ad hoc working group on mandate implementation review have approached the Bureau and asked to briefly address the Committee to explain their work. And I propose that we will hear their briefing in an informal setting right after the conclusion of our discussion of our working methods next Tuesday, October 13th. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Next, the non-paper by the Chair listing the draft proposals under agenda items 52 to 57 on which the Committee will take action on Thursday, October 15, have been circulated via eDelegate today. The Committee will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, in this conference room to continue the joint general debate on the decolonization items. This meeting is adjourned. But before that, please, I'd like to sincerely thank the interpreters for giving us extra time today on a Friday. So on behalf of everyone in the room, we'd like to thank them. And everyone, have a beautiful weekend. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.