International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations

In the UN Charter , a Non-Self-Governing Territory is defined as a territory “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.” In 1946, several UN Member States identified a number of territories under their administration that were not self-governing and placed them on a UN list . As a result of the decolonization process over the years, most of the territories were removed from the list. Join us to celebrate the  Non-Self-Governing Territories week !

Commemoration of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples . Watch the High-level plenary meeting to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples - General Assembly, 80th session! General Assembly

When the United Nations was founded in 1945, some 750 million people, nearly a third of the world's population, lived in Territories that were dependent on colonial Powers. Today, fewer than 2 million people live under colonial rule in the 17 remaining non-self-governing territories . The wave of decolonization, which changed the face of the planet, was born with the UN and represents the world body’s first great success. Learn more about the  Issues of Decolonization

  Since the United Nations was established in 1945, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence. Today, the United Nations assists 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories across the globe. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs supports the work of the United Nations General Assembly , particularly its Special Committee on Decolonization , in the eradication of colonialism.

  ,  This celebration of the  International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations  supports the United Nations ’s determination to implement the  Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples  and related decisions, and to promote decolonization as one of its main mandates. As part of the inaugural celebration of the Day, the United Nations is hosting on 18 December, a one-day high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples , with the participation of Member States and observers, as well as of the President of the General Assembly , the President of the Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Secretary-General . The meeting is to advance global dialogue on the full implementation of UN resolutions on decolonization .

 Individuals and organizations can: Participate in UN observances and educational events Engage with grassroots and community-led movements Explore UN resources and contribute to discussions on decolonization Visit the United Nations and Decolonization to learn more about ongoing efforts.

More than sixty years after the adoption of resolution 1514 (XV) , colonialism in its various forms continues to exist, undermining the principles of the UN Charter , with an impact on social, cultural, and economic development. The eradication of colonialism remains a key priority for the United Nations, particularly under the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2030).