CANZ Fourth Committee Statement on Addressing Contemporary Forms of Colonialism
Statement delivered by Ms. Amelia Young, Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
15 October 2026
Chair,
I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia.
CANZ members strongly support the right of all peoples to self-determination.
We remain committed to the full implementation of the UN Charter and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
It is through this lens that we considered the resolution before us today.
One of the sponsors of this resolution, a permanent member of the Security Council, continues to wage an illegal, immoral and unjustified war against a sovereign neighbour.
Russia's actions undermine the principles it claims to defend in this resolution.
While claiming to oppose colonialism, Russia continues to deny Ukraine the very sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence that this Committee seeks to advance.
Beyond this concern, CANZ was unable to support the resolution and voted no for two reasons.
First, this resolution seeks to expand the concept of colonialism beyond its established meaning with the UN decolonisation framework.
By grouping distinct political, economic and security issues under a single concept of "contemporary colonialism", it obscures rather than clarifies the framework that centres on the self-determination and political status of peoples and territories.
Second, the resolution risks further politicising the work of the Fourth Committee and diverting attention from the UN’s unfinished decolonisation agenda.
CANZ remains committed to good-faith efforts to advance self-determination and decolonisation in accordance with the UN Charter and established international principles.
Thank you.