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Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
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Date
17 May 2004
Press Release No: L/26/2004
The United Nations Secretary-General's message
on the occasion of the opening of the Pacific Regional Seminar
on Decolonization and the observance of the week of Solidarity
with the Peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories
Madang, Papua New Guinea, 18-20 May 2004
In this Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing
Territories, I am very pleased to convey my greetings to all
who have gathered in Madang, Papua New Guinea, for the Pacific
Regional Seminar on decolonization.
It is with a great sense of accomplishment that
the United Nations can look back at what has been achieved in
the field of decolonization since the early years of the Organization.
However, with 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining on
the United Nations list, the job is incomplete. It is therefore
the duty of the United Nations and the international community
to bring the process of decolonization to a successful conclusion.
Cooperation is essential for there to be progress
in discharging the mandate of the Special Committee on Decolonization.
This annual seminar, which this year focuses on the Pacific-based
territories, is an opportunity for the Committee, the people
living in the territories and the administering Powers to listen
to one another, and to the views of experts, and to examine
the progress made in upholding the principles enshrined in the
Charter of the United Nations and in the Declaration on the
Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
I hope this year's seminar will also help all concerned to prepare
for the future, by devising strategies to support the political,
economic and social advancement of the Non-Self Government Territories
in their quest for self-determination.
I would like to express my great appreciation
to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea for their generous
hospitality in hosting this Seminar. Please accept my best wishes
for the success of your important deliberations.
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