UK Backs Removing OTs from UN List
The UK and Overseas Territories issued a communique on November 28, 2025, committing to support Overseas Territories with permanent populations that wish to seek removal from the United Nations list of Non‑self‑governing Territories. The communique, issued after the Joint Ministerial Council held November 24–28, also pledges continued UK support for OT participation at the UN decolonisation forum and for resisting hostile sovereignty claims.
The United Kingdom has pledged continued support for British Overseas Territories that wish to seek removal from the United Nations list of Non‑self‑governing Territories, according to a communique issued by the UK and Overseas Territories on November 28, 2025. The communique, which sets out conclusions from the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) held November 24–28, reaffirms that the principle of equal rights and self‑determination enshrined in the UN Charter applies to the peoples of the Overseas Territories.
It states that the UK and the Territories “reaffirm the importance of respecting and promoting the right of self‑determination for the peoples of the Territories, which is a collective responsibility of all parts of the UK government.” For Territories with permanent populations that wish to pursue removal, the UK said it will continue to support requests to be taken off the UN list of Non‑self‑governing Territories.
The communique also confirmed that the UK will back Territories that wish to attend the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24) and meetings of the UN Fourth Committee — key UN bodies that consider decolonisation and related political issues. For residents of the Virgin Islands, the announcement signals the UK’s willingness to support locally expressed decisions on political status and international representation.
Removal from the UN list is a process that reflects the wishes of a Territory’s people and may affect how a Territory engages internationally; it does not automatically change domestic arrangements. Participation at C24 or Fourth Committee sessions can allow Territory representatives to make their case directly to UN member states.
The communique further said the UK will continue exploring ways the Overseas Territories can maintain international support in countering hostile sovereignty claims. While the statement did not name specific claims, that commitment addresses longstanding concerns in the region about external assertions of sovereignty.
The Virgin Islands delegation to the JMC included Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), and Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Hon Lorna G. The communique reflects ongoing discussions between the UK and its Territories about self‑determination, international engagement and protecting territorial integrity.
Residents should expect further clarification from local ministers if the Territory decides to pursue any formal request to the UN process.
Primary source: VINO