A/RES/56/71 organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme and the World Health Organization, Recalling the dispatch in 1994 of a United Nations visiting mission to Tokelau, Noting that, as a small island Territory, Tokelau exemplifies the situation of most remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, Noting also that, as a case study pointing to successful decolonization, Tokelau has wider significance for the United Nations as it seeks to complete its work in decolonization, 1. Notes that Tokelau remains firmly committed to the development of selfgovernment and to an act of self-determination that would result in Tokelau assuming a status in accordance with the options on future status for Non-SelfGoverning Territories contained in principle VI of the annex to General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960; 2. Also notes the desire of Tokelau to move at its own pace towards an act of self-determination; 3. Further notes the inauguration in 1999 of a national Government based on village elections by universal adult suffrage; 4. Acknowledges Tokelau’s goal to return authority to its traditional leadership, and its wish to provide that leadership with the necessary support to carry out its functions in the contemporary world; 5. Also acknowledges the progress made towards that goal under the Modern House of Tokelau project, and Tokelau’s view that that project, in its governance and economic development dimensions, is seen by its people as the means to achieving their act of self-determination; 6. Notes that, consistent with the expressed desires of past traditional leaders and the principles of the Modern House of Tokelau, Tokelau has established a local public service employer which enabled the New Zealand State Services Commissioner to withdraw from his role as employer of the Tokelau Public Service as from 30 June 2001; 7. Also notes the positive outcomes of the visit by the elected village and national leaders to New Zealand in May 2001; 8. Welcomes the initiation of the dialogue with the administering Power and the Territory in June 2001 with a view to the development of a programme of work for Tokelau in accordance with General Assembly resolution 55/147 of 8 December 2000; 9. Acknowledges the continuing support which New Zealand has committed to the Modern House of Tokelau project in the period 2001-2002, and the cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme in aligning its programmes under the project; 10. Notes that the Constitution of a self-governing Tokelau will continue to develop as a part and as a consequence of the building of the Modern House of Tokelau, and that both have national and international importance for Tokelau; 11. Acknowledges Tokelau’s need for continued reassurance given the cultural adjustments that are taking place with the strengthening of its capacity for self-government and, given that local resources cannot adequately cover the material side of self-determination, the ongoing responsibility of Tokelau’s external 2