The United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday observed the first-ever International Day against Colonialism in All its Forms and Manifestations, underscoring renewed global commitment to ending colonial legacies and advancing self-determination.
The observance supports the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted 65 years ago. Since its adoption, the UN has helped more than 60 territories, home to over 80 million people, pursue self-determination and attain independence.
However, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Elizabeth Spehar, said the work remains unfinished, noting that 17 non-self-governing territories still exist and that vestiges of colonialism persist within global power structures. Speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, she said institutions such as the Security Council and the international financial system still reflect a world shaped by empires rather than equality.
Spehar recalled that the UN was established 80 years ago to uphold human rights, prevent war and promote freedom, calling for renewed commitment not only to end traditional colonialism but also to dismantle its enduring remnants worldwide.
In a related development, a new report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), released on Thursday to mark International Migrants Day, revealed that Venezuelans living across Latin America and the Caribbean contribute more than $10.6 billion annually to host economies. The contributions are largely through spending on food, education and healthcare.
The report, based on research conducted since 2021 in countries including Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Aruba, also found that Venezuelan migrants make significant tax contributions, accounting for just over one per cent of total tax revenue in these countries. In Colombia alone, tax contributions from Venezuelans exceeded $529 million in a single year.
According to UN estimates, there are more than 300 million migrants globally. While International Migrants Day highlights their economic and social contributions, it also draws attention to the growing complexity of migration challenges.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that conflicts, climate-related disasters and economic pressures continue to force millions to seek safety and opportunity outside their home countries. He said the past year recorded unprecedented levels of internal displacement, rising humanitarian needs and the highest-ever number of migrant deaths in transit.
Guterres stressed that supporting regular migration pathways would help protect migrants’ rights, expand opportunities and promote shared prosperity in both countries of origin and host nations.