The United Nations has observed the International Day Against Colonialism for the first time. This commemorative day was established just one and a half weeks ago by the General Assembly to emphasize the urgent need to end colonialism in all its forms unconditionally. The process of decolonization, however, remains incomplete.

Since its founding in 1945, over 80 former colonies with a combined population of about 750 million people have gained independence. Nevertheless, 17 non-self-governing territories still exist worldwide, housing nearly 2 million inhabitants. These include Gibraltar, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, American Samoa, Guam, French Polynesia, and Western Sahara, administered by countries such as the United Kingdom, France, the USA, and New Zealand.

December 14 was chosen for this day to commemorate the adoption of the 1960 resolution on “Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.” To mark the occasion, the United Nations is holding a high-level General Assembly meeting this week as part of the celebrations.