23 November 1982

Question of the British Virgin Islands

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of the British Virgin Islands,

Having examined the relevant chapters of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,and all other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to the British Virgin Islands,

Taking into account the statement of the representative of the administering Power relating to the Territory, in which he said that his Government would fully respect the wishes of the people of the British Virgin Islands in determining the future political status of the Territory,

Conscious of the need to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of the Territory,

Noting with appreciation the continued active participation of the administering Power in the work of the Special Committee in regard to the British Virgin Islands, thereby enabling it to conduct a more informed and meaningful examination of the situation in the Territory, with a view to accelerating the process of decolonization for the purpose of the full implementation of the Declaration,

Reaffirming the responsibility of the administering Power for the economic and social development of the Territory,

Taking note of the fact that positive economic developments have occurred during the period under review, including the achievement of a sustained growth in the tourist, real estate and construction industries,

Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territory and bearing in mind the necessity of diversifying and strengthening further its economy as a matter of priority in order to promote economic stability,

Noting that the United Nations Development Programme has made budgetary provisions for the Territory amounting to $US 240,000 for the period 1982-1986,

Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories and expressing its satisfaction at the willingness of the administering Power to receive visiting missions in the Territories under its administration,

1. Approves the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to the British Virgin Islands;

2. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

3. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy implementation of the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), which fully applies to the British Virgin Islands;

4. Reiterates that it is the responsibility of the administering Power to create such conditions in the Territory as will enable the people of the British Virgin Islands to exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), as well as all other relevant resolutions of the Assembly;

5. Reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands themselves to determine their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration and reaffirms the importance of fostering an awareness among the people of the Territory of the possibilities open to them in the exercise of their right to self-determination;

6. Calls upon the administering Power, in consultation with the freely elected authorities of the territorial Government, to take all necessary steps to ensure the full and speedy attainment of the objectives of decolonization set out in the Charter and the Declaration and all other relevant resolutions of the United Nations;

7. Notes the continuing commitment of the territorial Government to the goal of economic diversification, particularly in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and small industries, and calls upon the administering Power, in consultation with the local authorities, to intensify its efforts in this regard in order to offset the recent decline in agricultural production;

8. Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to safeguard the inalienable right of the people of the Territory to the enjoyment of their natural resources by taking effective measures to ensure their right to own and dispose of those resources and to establish and maintain control of their future development;

9. Urges the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank, to take measures to accelerate progress in the social and economic life of the British Virgin Islands;

10. Considers that the possibility of sending a further visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands at an appropriate time should be kept under review;

11. Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session.