New york: The participants of the international conference entitled “Overseas Territories after the Bougival Accord: Recolonization or Decolonization?” organized by the Baku Initiative Group, have issued a joint statement at the organization’s headquarters in New York. The conference was held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the statement emphasized that the Declaration of the United Nations and General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of December 14, 1960, “On the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,” establishes the right of all peoples to self-determination. It highlighted the importance of bringing colonialism in all its forms and manifestations to a speedy and unconditional end.
The statement also recalled resolution 1541 (XV), which sets out the principles for determining whether a territory has attained full self-government, and resolution 2625 (XXV), which establishes the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States.
The statement recognized Kanaky (New Caledonia) as a non-self-governing territory since 1986, with France having an international commitment to complete the decolonization process. The participants commemorated the victims of the Kanak people’s struggle, who have resisted foreign occupation since 1853 and faced severe repression during the French colonial period. The Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), established in 1984 to achieve independence, is at a critical juncture, with the UN affirming the legitimacy of their struggle.
The Bougival Accord, signed in July 2025, was criticized as a violation of the right to self-determination and an instrument of political recolonization designed to maintain France’s dominance. The participants declared the Bougival Accord illegitimate, considering it contrary to the UN Charter and international law principles. It was stated that the agreement violates previous commitments and aims to suppress the Kanak people’s right to independence.
The statement reaffirmed the Kanak people’s right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without external interference. The participants called on the UN, the Special Committee on Decolonization, and all member states to condemn France’s obstruction of the Kanak decolonization process and increase efforts to ensure the complete independence of the Kanak people.