A/RES/53/67
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relating to those Territories, including, in particular, the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at
its fifty-second session on the individual Territories covered by the present resolution,
Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the sentiments of the peoples of the Territories
require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the options of self-determination, without any
prejudice to territorial size, geographical location, size of population or natural resources,
Recalling its resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, containing the principles that should guide
Member States in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit the information called for
under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations,
Expressing its concern that even thirty-eight 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 the year 2000,
Noting the positive constitutional developments in some Non-Self-Governing Territories about which
the Special Committee has received information, while also acknowledging the need for recognition to be
given to expressions of self-determination 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 selfdetermination 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 selfgovernment 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 small Territories to natural disasters and environmental
degradation,
Aware of the usefulness both to the Territories and to the Special Committee of the participation of
appointed and elected representatives of the Territories in the work of the Special Committee,
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