The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has formally called upon the United Nations (UN) Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) to take meaningful steps toward fulfilling its mandate to support the decolonization of the world’s 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs). The appeal was delivered during the Special Committee’s recently concluded Caribbean regional seminar on decolonization held in Managua, Nicaragua.
Representing the territory, BVI Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley urged the Special Committee to utilize its “good offices” to assist Administering Powers and their colonies in peacefully advancing the decolonization process. He emphasized that this progression could take the form of integration, free association, or outright independence. Furthermore, Wheatley insisted that the committee redouble its efforts to deploy “visiting missions” to assess the realities of decolonization on the ground in these territories.
“The Special Committee on Decolonization can make a difference in advancing decolonization by employing the major tools at its disposal, which include good offices and visiting missions,” Wheatley stated. He noted that these measures provide essential engagement and dialogue for both the Administering Powers and the people of territories seeking full self-government.
Addressing the specific trajectory of the British Virgin Islands, Wheatley updated seminar participants on the local government’s push for full internal self-government in upcoming constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK). Notably, he announced that the BVI is planning to hold a referendum in 2031 to fully decolonize the islands based on the three UN-sanctioned options for sovereignty.
While expressing gratitude for the Special Committee’s 2024 visiting mission to the BVI and its strong support for continued democratic governance, Wheatley delivered a stark warning regarding the UN’s future role. He cautioned that if the 17 NSGTs do not experience meaningful progress on their decolonization by the end of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in 2030, the Special Committee risks “becoming irrelevant”.
Currently, four Administering Powers—France, New Zealand, the UK, and the United States—oversee the 17 remaining colonies. These territories include the BVI, American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Western Sahara.