US urges UN to end decolonization committee’s mandate

The United States urged the United Nations to terminate its Special Committee on Decolonisation during an October 15 meeting, according to the UN’s official account. The body provides an annual forum for Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the Falklands.

The US representative criticized some committee activities as wasteful. Despite Washington’s position, the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee approved more than 20 draft resolutions at the session, including many recommended by the decolonization body.

Washington has made no formal dissolution proposal. Such a decision would require General Assembly approval, where no country holds a veto and a broad majority supports the committee.

Established in 1961, the committee conducts annual reviews of 17 non-self-governing territories. The United Kingdom administers ten of them, including the Falklands. Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno attended on June 25 to seek renewed sovereignty talks. Britain maintains that the islanders have a right to self-determination, citing their 2013 referendum decision to remain a British overseas territory.

Argentina’s government has not commented on the US stance. At the October 15 session, Argentina also abstained on a resolution backed by Russia concerning contemporary colonialism. In September, President Javier Milei urged consequences under Resolution 31/49, which calls on the parties to avoid unilateral changes while the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.