Last week, May 11-13, Minister of Home Affairs, Kenneth Hodge, attended the Pacific Regional Seminar, on the Implementation of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradiation of Colonialism Advancement of Non-self-governing Territories Through the Corona Virus Pandemic and Beyond, held in St Lucia.
Speaking at the government’s weekly press briefing on Monday, May 16, Mr Hodge presented background information on the seminar, stated its main purpose, and shared his assessment of the three-day meetings.
He noted: “At its 75th session, the General Assembly declared 2021-2030 the Fourth International Decade for the Eradiation of Colonialism, and called upon member states to intensify their efforts to continue to implement their ‘Plan of Action’ for the Second International Decade for the Eradiation of Colonialism, and to cooperate with the special committee on the situation with regard to the implementation of the granting of independence to colonial countries.
“The main purpose of the seminar was to enable the special committee to obtain the views of representatives – of the non-self-governing territories, experts, members of civil society and other stakeholders in the process of decolonisation – who could assist the special committee in identifying policy approaches and practical ways that could be pursued in the decolonialisation process.”
Minister Hodge stated that “the seminar consisted of five meetings in which representatives of member states, the non-self-governing territories’ administering powers, as well as experts, participated.” He noted that the seminar was “organised in such a way as to encourage open and frank exchange of views.”
He said that he found the seminar “to be extremely interesting and informative. [It provided] a platform for the exchange of ideas – particularly with representatives from the other non-self-governing territories, including BVI, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos – the ones closest to us.”
Minister Hodge said that he made a presentation on behalf of Anguilla, at the opening day of the seminar, and observed that the last time Anguilla was represented at such an event was in 2012 in Quito, Ecuador.
