A/RES/57/138 A-B
obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the
Charter of the United Nations,
Expressing its concern that, more than forty years after the adoption of the
Declaration, there still remain a number of Non-Self-Governing Territories,
Acknowledging the significant achievements by the international community
towards the eradication of colonialism in accordance with the Declaration, and
conscious of the importance of continuing effective implementation of the
Declaration, taking into account the target set by the United Nations to eradicate
colonialism by 2010 and the plan of action for the Second International Decade for
the Eradication of Colonialism, 2
Noting the positive constitutional developments in some Non-Self-Governing
Territories about which the General Assembly has received information, while also
acknowledging the need for recognition to be given to expressions of selfdetermination by the peoples of the Territories consistent with practice under the
Charter,
Recognizing that in the decolonization process there is no alternative to the
principle of self-determination as enunciated by the General Assembly in its
resolutions 1514 (XV), 1541 (XV) and other resolutions,
Welcoming the stated position of the Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland that it continues to take seriously its obligations
under the Charter to develop self-government in the dependent Territories and, in
cooperation with the locally elected Governments, to ensure that their constitutional
frameworks continue to meet the wishes of the people, and the emphasis that it is
ultimately for the peoples of the Territories to decide their future status,
Welcoming also the stated position of the Government of the United States of
America that it supports fully the principles of decolonization and takes seriously its
obligations under the Charter to promote to the utmost the well-being of the
inhabitants of the Territories under United States administration,
Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic
conditions of each Territory, and bearing in mind the necessity of promoting
economic stability and diversifying and strengthening further the economies of the
respective Territories as a matter of priority,
Conscious of the particular vulnerability of the Territories to natural disasters
and environmental degradation and, in this connection, bearing in mind the
programmes of action of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, 3 the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, 4 the Global
Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 5 the
International Conference on Population and Development, 6 the United Nations
_______________
2
A/56/61, annex.
See Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro,
3–14 June 1992 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions
adopted by the Conference.
4
See A/CONF.172/9, chap. I.
5
See Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April–6 May 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and
corrigenda), chap. I.
6
Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5–13 September 1994
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
3
2