Fiji and Papua New Guinea have introduced a draft resolution to the UN Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries calling for peace in New Caledonia.
In his remarks Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini says that in May 2024, the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia regrettably witnessed tragic violence, threats to peace and security, and tensions over the electoral process for the provincial election and relatedly to the self-determination process which continued to simmer after 36 years of stability, peace and security, and measured progress in the self-determination process in New Caledonia.
He says it is in this context where tact and sensitivity are important and necessary in the framing of the draft resolution on the question of New Caledonia. Tarakinikini this is to assist, facilitate and support efforts by all relevant stakeholders of New Caledonia and the administering power, France, to de-escalate the situation, avert further potential conflict and violence, and foster peaceful dialogue to address the issues at hand, including the future status of the territory under UN Charter provisions for self-determination of colonized peoples and territories in the New May Accord, guided by the wishes of all New Caledonians.
He says they welcome and support peaceful efforts to restore normalcy to the territory and therefore encourage frank, open, transparent and inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders in New Caledonia and all the administering powers.
Tarakinikini adds Fiji and Papua New Guinea seek the Committee's support to adopt the draft resolution on New Caledonia by consensus.
