At its recent substantive session at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) unanimously adopted a draft resolution on the Question of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Office of the Premier

The Virgin Islands is one of the 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories falling under the remit of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation. Photo: UN

At its recent substantive session at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) unanimously adopted a draft resolution on the Question of the Virgin Islands.

Among other things, according to a press release from the Office of the Premier on August 6, 2026, the draft resolution, “Stresses the need for continued close monitoring by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, of the situation in the Territory, including with regard to the constitutional review process and constitutional negotiations, in close consultation with the administering Power and the Territory Government.”

The document also acknowledges the Territorial Government’s request for “UN assistance in facilitating an education programme for self-determination of the people of the British Virgin Islands,” and highlights the importance of the “participation of elected and appointed representatives of the British Virgin Islands in the work of the Committee.”

VI applauded for governance reform

Additionally, the UN commends the Territory Government for completion of the governance reform programme started in 2022.

The draft UN resolution now advances to the UN Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonisation) for a vote and then final adoption by the UN General Assembly.

Speaking on the initial C-24 approval, VI Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley said, “The Special Committee has completed its work for the current UN cycle that included initial approval of the draft UN resolution on the BVI, which we welcome. We look forward to the remaining UN approvals being given in due course by the international community at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly, which will once again reaffirm the Territory’s right to self-determination.”

The VI is one of the 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories falling under the remit of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation. 

The C-24 has been mandated by the UN General Assembly to help facilitate the complete eradication of colonialism by 2030.