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159 countries support decolonization process of French Polynesia at UN

22 October 2026 10:48 (UTC +04:00)

A draft resolution on French Polynesia was adopted by the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Special Political and Decolonization Matters with 159 votes in favor, 2 against, and 4 abstentions, the Baku Initiative Group told APA.

France was one of the four countries that abstained, refusing to support the draft resolution.

The draft resolution reaffirms the right of the people of French Polynesia to self-determination and calls on France to cooperate with the UN in the decolonization process and take concrete steps in this direction. In particular, it envisages facilitating a fact-finding mission to the territory by the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), developing a relevant work program under the auspices of the UN, and initiating a structured dialogue between France and local authorities on the conditions and timeframe of the self-determination process. The document also draws attention to the rights of the indigenous population over their natural resources and issues related to the consequences of nuclear tests conducted by France between 1966 and 1996.

The Tavini Huiraatira party, which is fighting for the independence of French Polynesia, described the voting results in a statement as an important international political message against France's continued colonial policy in the region. It was stated that the support of 159 countries for the resolution demonstrates broad international support for keeping the decolonization process of non-self-governing territories in the Pacific, including French Polynesia, under UN supervision.

France's decision to abstain while 159 countries at the UN supported the decolonization process shows that it will not voluntarily relinquish its colonial past.

In its statement, the Tavini Huiraatira party called for concrete steps in three main areas to accelerate the decolonization process. These include sending a fact-finding mission of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) to French Polynesia to directly assess the views of the local population, developing a relevant work program under the auspices of the UN accompanied by appropriate guarantees, and conducting a structured dialogue with the French state on the stages and timetable of the decolonization process.

It should be noted that the Baku Initiative Group continues to support the Tavini Huiraatira party, the independence movement of French Polynesia. Since its establishment, the Baku Initiative Group has become a central platform for bringing the voices of peoples affected by colonialism to the world. Within the framework of the memorandum of cooperation signed with Tavini Huiraatira, the Group has consistently worked to defend the rights of the Polynesian people in the international arena, including within the UN.

Conferences organized by the Baku Initiative Group in Baku and on various international platforms, scientific research conducted, and global projects aimed at exposing neocolonial policies in overseas territories have played a significant role in shaping the necessary international public opinion and solidarity for the adoption of this historic resolution.