Progress achieved in Non-Self-Governing Territories

XV. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
1535. Progress achieved in Non-Self-Governing Territories

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 932 (X) of 8 November 1955 and 1053 (XI) of 20 February 1957, by which it invited the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the specialized agencies concerned, to prepare a report on the progress that has been achieved in the Non-Self-Governing Territories in accordance with the objectives set forth in Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations since the establishment of the Organization, Having regard to the objectives set forth in Chapter XI of the Charter, and particularly the objectives of Article 73 a and b,

1. Takes note of the report on the progress achieved in the Non-Self-Governing Territories[1] prepared by the Secretary-General in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 932 (X) and 1053 (XI);

2. Notes with appreciation the observations and conclusions[2] on the progress report prepared by the Committee on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1461 (XIV) of 12 December 1959;

3. Notes that progress has been achieved in some of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, and notes that, in spite of the increased tempo of change, a substantial number of Territories still remain non-self-governing and that in the great majority of these the achievements of the period fall short of the needs of the inhabitants of these Territories;

4. Expresses its satisfaction that since 1946 a number of former Non-Self-Governing Territories have become Members of the United Nations after acceding to independence, and that the transmission of information on some others has ceased, with the approval of the General Assembly, after the achievement of the objectives of the Charter;

5. Considers that, while rapid economic, social and educational advancement must be directed towards the independence of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the inadequate level of economic, social and educational development in the Territories should never serve as a pretext for deferring their accession to independence;

6. Urges the Administering Members to strengthen their efforts in the economic, social and educational fields, with the full participation of the indigenous inhabitants of the Territories in all fields of activity, by transferring to those inhabitants effective powers so that during the period of transition from dependence to independence the Non-Self-Governing Territories will be able to establish sound foundations for their future;

7. Further notes with regret that, in spite of some reference in the progress report to constitutional and political developments in some of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the absence of information of a political and constitutional character on a majority of these Territories renders it impossible to assess the extent of their progress towards the goals of the Charter;

8. Considers that a full knowledge of the political and constitutional developments in Non-Self-Governing Territories is essential not only to a proper evaluation of the progress of the Territories towards independence but also to that of their economic, social and cultural advancement;

9. Urges once again the Administering Members concerned to extend their full co-operation to the General Assembly in the performance of its functions by transmitting information of a political and constitutional character on developments in the Territories under their respective administration;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the progress report and the observations and conclusions prepared by the Committee on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories to the Member States responsible for the administration of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, to the Economic and Social Council, to the regional economic commissions and to the specialized agencies concerned, for necessary action.

948th plenary meeting,
15 December 1960.

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[1] Ibid. [2] Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifteenth Session, Supplement No. 15 (A/4371), part two.