BVI welcomes UN draft resolution backing constitutional talks with UK
Key Points(5)
- The British Virgin Islands has welcomed a draft United Nations resolution supporting continued constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom as the territory works to advance its right to self-determination.
- The UN Special Committee on Decolonization, known as the C-24, unanimously adopted the draft resolution on the Question of the British Virgin Islands during its recent substantive session at UN Headquarters in New York.
- The draft calls for continued monitoring of the territory’s political development, including its constitutional review process and negotiations with the UK, which serves as the BVI’s administering power.
- The resolution “stresses the need for continued close monitoring” by the C-24 of the situation in the British Virgin Islands, including the constitutional review and negotiations, in consultation with both the UK government and the BVI government.
- The document also acknowledges a request from the territorial government for UN assistance in developing an education program on self-determination for the people of the British Virgin Islands.
The British Virgin Islands has welcomed a draft United Nations resolution supporting continued constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom as the territory works to advance its right to self-determination.
The UN Special Committee on Decolonization, known as the C-24, unanimously adopted the draft resolution on the Question of the British Virgin Islands during its recent substantive session at UN Headquarters in New York.
The draft calls for continued monitoring of the territory’s political development, including its constitutional review process and negotiations with the UK, which serves as the BVI’s administering power.
The resolution “stresses the need for continued close monitoring” by the C-24 of the situation in the British Virgin Islands, including the constitutional review and negotiations, in consultation with both the UK government and the BVI government.
The document also acknowledges a request from the territorial government for UN assistance in developing an education program on self-determination for the people of the British Virgin Islands.
It further emphasizes the importance of the participation of elected and appointed BVI representatives in the work of the C-24.
The draft resolution also commends the territory’s government for completing a governance reform program launched in 2022.
BVI Special Envoy Benito Wheatley welcomed the committee’s approval, describing it as an important step toward further international recognition of the territory’s right to determine its political future.
“The Special Committee has completed its work for the current UN cycle that included initial approval of the draft UN resolution on the BVI, which we welcome,” Wheatley said.
“We look forward to the remaining UN approvals being given in due course by the international community at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly, which will once again reaffirm the Territory’s right to self-determination.”
The draft resolution will next go before the UN Fourth Committee, which handles Special Political and Decolonization matters, for consideration and a vote before proceeding to the UN General Assembly for final adoption.
