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STORY: UN / DECOLONIZATION
TRT: 01:39
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 16 FEBRUARY 2026, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations
16 FEBRUARY 2026, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, speakers, participants, conference room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, United Nations:
“Our world has come a long way, with well over 100 nations gaining independence since 1945. More people than ever now enjoy the right and the dignity of self-determination. Yet the legacy of colonialism has left profound scars through deeply rooted mechanisms of economic exploitation, as well as in the form of racism, inequality and persistent exclusion from the decision-making bodies. Today, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain.”
4. Wide shot, speakers, participants
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, United Nations:
“The majority of the Territories are small islands, where rising sea levels, coastal erosion and more frequent extreme weather are exacting a heavy toll. I urge you to place resilience and adaptation at the heart of your discussions.”
6. Wide shot, speakers, participants
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, United Nations:
“Let us continue to work tirelessly, and as one, to advance decolonization for all.”
8. Wide shot, speakers, participants
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Saint Lucia:
“The cause of decolonization is not merely an institutional obligation; it is a fundamental expression of the United Nations ’founding purpose. It embodies our shared belief in dignity and equality.”
10. Wide shot, speakers, participants
Addressing the meeting on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, said, “Let us continue to work tirelessly, and as one, to advance decolonization for all.”
Today (16 Feb), 1st plenary meeting of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples took place in UNHQ in New York.
Reading the Secretary-General remarks, Rattray said, “Our world has come a long way, with well over 100 nations gaining independence since 1945. More people than ever now enjoy the right and the dignity of self-determination. Yet the legacy of colonialism has left profound scars through deeply rooted mechanisms of economic exploitation, as well as in the form of racism, inequality and persistent exclusion from the decision-making bodies. Today, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain.”
According to the Chef de Cabinet, the Secretary-General highlights three key priorities: inclusive, case-by-case dialogue grounded in UN principles; the central role of youth in shaping the future; and urgent climate action, particularly for vulnerable island Territories.
The statement also underscores that progress has been made but sustained collective effort is still required to advance self-determination for all.
Also addressing the meeting, Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United Nations, and Chair if the Special Committee, said, “The cause of decolonization is not merely an institutional obligation; it is a fundamental expression of the United Nations ’founding purpose. It embodies our shared belief in dignity and equality.”
