Question of New Caledonia, G.A. res. 49/45, 49 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 111, U.N. Doc. A/49/49 (1994).


The General Assembly,

Having considered
the question of New Caledonia,

Having examined the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to New Caledonia,

Reaffirming the right of peoples to self-determination as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling its resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV) of 14 and 15 December 1960, respectively,

Noting the importance of the positive measures being pursued in New Caledonia by the French authorities, in cooperation with all sectors of the population, to promote political, economic and social development in the Territory, including measures in the area of environmental protection and action with respect to drug abuse and trafficking, in order to provide a framework for its peaceful progress to self-determination,

Noting also, in this context, the importance of equitable economic and social development, as well as continued dialogue among the parties involved in New Caledonia in the preparation of the act of self-determination of New Caledonia,

Welcoming the strengthening of the Matignon Accords review process through the increased frequency of coordination meetings,

Noting with satisfaction the intensification of contacts between New Caledonia and neighbouring countries of the South Pacific region,

1. Urges all the parties involved, in the interest of all the people of New Caledonia and building on the positive outcome of the mid-term review of the Matignon Accords, to maintain their dialogue in a spirit of harmony;

2. Invites all the parties involved to continue promoting a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self- determination in which all options are open and which would safeguard the rights of all New Caledonians according to the letter and the spirit of the Matignon Accords, which are based on the principle that it is for the populations of New Caledonia to choose how to control their destiny;

3. Welcomes measures which have been taken to strengthen and diversify the New Caledonian economy in all fields, including the commissioning of the new nickel mine by the Societe metallurgique de nickel at Kopeto and the establishment of new aquaculture projects, and encourages further such measures in accordance with the spirit of the Matignon Accords;

4. Also welcomes the importance attached by the parties to the Matignon Accords to greater progress in housing, employment, training, education and health care in New Caledonia;

5. Acknowledges the contribution of the Melanesian cultural centre to the protection of the indigenous culture of New Caledonia;

6. Notes the positive initiatives aimed at protecting New Caledonia's natural environment, notably the "Zoneco" operation designed to map and evaluate marine resources within the economic zone of New Caledonia;

7. Acknowledges the close links between New Caledonia and the peoples of the South Pacific and the positive actions being taken by the French and provincial authorities to facilitate the further development of those links, including the development of closer relations with the member countries of the South Pacific Forum;

8. Welcomes in particular, in this regard, continuing high-level visits to New Caledonia by delegations from countries of the Pacific region and high-level visits by delegations from New Caledonia to member countries of the South Pacific Forum;

9. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoplesto continue the examination of this question at its next session and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session.

83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994


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