The UN’s unfinished list of territories that have not yet achieved self-government
Since 1946, the United Nations has tracked a specific group of territories whose people have not yet attained full self-government. While dozens have been removed through independence, a controversial list of 17 remains, sparking intense debates over sovereignty, identity, and the true meaning of decolonization.
The United Nations list of non-self-governing territories (NSGTs) originates from Chapter XI of the UN Charter. This framework requires administering powers to submit annual reports on the development of territories under their control. In 1946, the list initially comprised 72 territories, based on reports from eight member states, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the Netherlands.
The process of removal from this list is often a point of geopolitical friction. While some territories, like French Polynesia, were removed unilaterally by their administering powers, others, such as Suriname and Greenland, were removed via a vote by the General Assembly. The General Assembly has historically asserted its sole authority to authorize such removals, even rejecting claims by powers like Portugal, which argued that territories like Angola and Mozambique were integral parts of its state.
Today, the list is maintained by the Special Committee on Decolonization, often called the 'Committee of 24'. The list remains highly contested. In Gibraltar, residents have twice voted to maintain their status quo—in 1967 and 2002—yet the UN did not recognize these referendums. Similarly, in Tokelau, two referendums (in 2006 and 2007) failed to reach the required two-thirds majority for self-government, leading to debates over whether the UN is pushing for a transition that the local population does not desire.
The list also includes territories with unique challenges, such as the Pitcairn Islands, which has a population of fewer than 50 people. Other territories, including Montserrat, Saint Helena, and the Falkland Islands, are notably less populous than any UN member state. The tension persists between the UN's mandate for decolonization and the democratic preferences of inhabitants who may prefer to remain dependencies.
Source: United Nations list of non-self-governing territories
