text: Peoples, theentireworldbearswitness tothebeauty andthevalueofthemosaic ofhumanity thatexistsattheUnitedNations. Thatmosaicisadirect consequence ofthedecolonization process, andofthededication ofthosewhohavebeeninthe frontlineofthatprocess spearheading itseffectiveness. Without adoubt,thisprocess hasbeenoneofthemostsuccessful undertakings oftheUnitedNations. Thisisafactwhichnoonecanhonestly dispute. The results maynothavealways beentoeveryone's complete satisfaction. Insome cases,theprocess maynotevenhavebeencompleted yet.However, stepbystepthe process ofdecolonization continues. Now,thatprocess isentering adecisive stage. Weareawarethatafewvoicesstillcontinue toquestion thevalueofthe Special Committee. However, nonationthateverendured thepainandhumiliation ofcolonialism questions thevalueoftheSpecial Committee. Nopeoplethatever /...AIAC.109/1040 English Page16 witnessed thetransfer oftheirnational wealth without theirconsent questions the continued relevancy oftheSpecial Committee totoday's world. Noonewhoever struggled against colonialism isnowprepared toaccept anend,orevera de-emphasis, ofUnited Nations efforts inthisimportant areauntilthepeople of everysingle land,regardless ofsize,population, geographic location, orrelative wealth arefreetodetermine theirowndestinies. Forourpart,weinVanuatu applaud theefforts ofeverynationthatisa member oftheSpecial Committee. Wesalute theprofessionalism, dedication and efficiency ofthemembers ofthesecretariat. Wealsonotewithappreciation the wisdom andstatesmanship ofthoseadministering Powersthathaveco-operated, and thosethatcontinue toco-operate, withtheSpecial Committee inthedischarge of itsveryimportant duties andresponsibilities. Allhavecontributed inavery realsense, notonlytotheprocess ofdecolonization, butalsotothecreation of anewintern~tional jurisprudence ofhumandecency. llthough themarchofdecolonization hasbeensteady, andthereismuchwith whichwecanallbesatisfied, important workremains tobedone. Namibia hasnow joined thecommunity ofnations. Wecongratulate Namibia anditspeople ontheir victory andwishthemwellastheyreclaim theirfuture. Many,ifnotmost,oftheworld's remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories can befoundhereintheSouthPacific. Inasense, wenowhaveourown"Namibias" and ourown"Palestines" -potentially explosive colonial situations thatpreoccupy everynationinourregion andcryoutforinternational attention. Therefore, thisseminar isforusmuchmorethanacommemoration oracelebration. Forus thisseminar offers anopportunity foraserious exchange ofideasandreflection onthefuture. Hopefully, itwillresultinaneffective calltoaction - acall forinternational co-operation tomakethelastdecadeofthetwentieth century trulytheworld's lastdecade ofcolonialism. Wearefarmoreinneedoffreshnew ideasandconcrete proposals thanweareinneedofanother series ofspeeches. Inthisregard, weareofthestrong opinion thatthisdecade should begin withavisitbytheSecretary-General oftheUnited Nations, oraspecially designated representative oftheSecretary-General, toeachoftheremaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. Wewouldalsoliketoseeanextensive studyof theremaining Non-Self-Governing Territories undertaken andwidelydistributed throughout theworldalongwithrelevant audio-visual materials. Wealsobelieve thatanurgent appeal should beissuedatthehighest levels urging thosewhoare stilladministering Non-Self-Governing Territories toestablish thenecessary conditions, assoonaspossible, toenable thepeoples ofthoseTerritories togain theirpolitical andeconomic independence, priorto31December 1999,inaccordance withtheprinciples andpractices oftheUnited Nations. Thisappeal should also urgetheremaining administering Powers totransmit information, inaccordance with Article 73~oftheCharter oftheUnited Nations. Thiswouldalsobeanidealtimetourgeindividual nations toconsider the adoption oflegislation discouraging commercial enterprises fromcontinuing or initiating activities thatareprejudicial totheexercise oftherightof self-determination andindependence bythepeoples oftheremaining I ...A/AC.10911040 English Page17 Non-Self-Governing territories. Countries couldalsoberequested toconsider the
analysis: The text appears to be a speech or statement by a representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, discussing the process of decolonization and the importance of the Special Committee on Decolonization. The speaker highlights the progress made in decolonization, acknowledges the challenges that remain, and emphasizes the need for continued international cooperation to complete the process. The text does not specifically focus on economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather on the political and human rights aspects of decolonization.