US seeks end to UN decolonisation committee’s mandate

The United States has urged the United Nations to terminate the mandate of the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), a key platform for Argentina to maintain its sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands. During a meeting on October 15, Washington questioned the committee's costs and argued that it had served its purpose, noting that more than 80 former colonies have joined the UN as member states.

The US representative also criticized the committee's annual trips to Caribbean and South Pacific resorts, calling them a waste of resources and time. The US position was recorded as the General Assembly's Fourth Committee approved over 20 draft resolutions on decolonisation. The move would impact Argentina, as the Malvinas issue is discussed annually by the committee.

Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week war in 1982 over the islands, known as Las Islas Malvinas in Argentina and the Falkland Islands in the UK. Since 1989, C-24 has been the primary UN forum for Argentina to present its claim, securing resolutions recognizing the dispute and urging talks between Argentina and the UK. President Javier Milei has recently sought to highlight Argentina's sovereignty claim.

The UK does not recognize Argentina's claim, which has been under British control since 1833. Argentine residents voted to remain British in 2013, but Argentina argues that the principle of self-determination does not apply to the population it considers settled by Britain.