Notes that Tokelau remains firmly committed to the development of its capacity for self-government and to an act of self-determination that would result in Tokelau assuming a status in accordance with the options on future status for Non-Self-Governing Territories contained in principle VI of the annex to General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960;
2
Welcomes the substantial progress made towards the devolution of power to the three taupulega (village councils), in particular the delegation of the Administrator’s powers to the three taupulega with effect from 1 July 2004 and the assumption by each taupulega from that date of full responsibility for the management of all its public services;
3
Recalls the decision of the General Fono in November 2003, following extensive consultations in all three villages and a meeting of the Special Committee on the Constitution of Tokelau, to explore formally with New Zealand the option of self-government in free association, and the discussions subsequently held between Tokelau and New Zealand pursuant to the General Fono decision;
4
Recalls also the decision of the General Fono in August 2005 to hold a referendum on self-government on the basis of a draft constitution for Tokelau and a treaty of free association with New Zealand, and notes the enactment by the General Fono of rules for the referendum;
5
Welcomes the invitation extended to the United Nations by Tokelau and New Zealand to monitor Tokelau’s act of self-determination;
6
Acknowledges Tokelau’s initiative in devising a strategic economic development plan for the period 2002–2005, and notes that a strategic plan for the period 2006–2009 is now being developed in consultation with New Zealand;
7
Also acknowledges the continuing assistance that New Zealand has committed to promoting Tokelau’s welfare, as well as the cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme, including the relief and recovery assistance provided in the aftermath of Cyclone Percy in 2005;
8
Further acknowledges Tokelau’s need for continued support, given the adjustments that are taking place with the strengthening of its capacity for self-government, and the ongoing responsibility of Tokelau’s external partners to assist Tokelau in balancing its desire to be self-reliant to the greatest extent possible with its need for external assistance;
9
Welcomes the establishment of the Tokelau International Trust Fund to support the future development needs of Tokelau and the offer of a donor round table by the United Nations Development Programme, and calls upon Member States and international and regional agencies to announce contributions to the Fund and thereby lend practical support to assist this emerging country in overcoming the problems of smallness, isolation and lack of resources;
10
Also welcomes the assurance of the Government of New Zealand that it will meet its obligations to the United Nations with respect to Tokelau and abide by the freely expressed wishes of the people of Tokelau with regard to their future status;
11
Further welcomes the cooperative attitude of the other States and territories in the region towards Tokelau, and their support for its economic and political aspirations and increasing participation in regional and international affairs;
12
Welcomes the associate membership of Tokelau in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and its recent accession to membership in the Forum Fisheries Agency, observer status at the Pacific Islands Forum and associate membership in the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission;
13
Calls uponthe administering Power and United Nations agencies to continue to provide assistance to Tokelau as it further develops its economy and governance structures;
14
Welcomes the actions taken by the administering Power to transmit information regarding the political, economic and social situation of Tokelau to the Secretary-General;
15
Notes with satisfaction the successful visit to Tokelau in October 2004 by the Chairman 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;
16
Notes the considerable progress made towards the adoption of a Constitution and of national symbols by Tokelau, the steps taken by Tokelau and New Zealand to agree to a draft treaty of free association as a basis for an act of self-determination and the support expressed by Tokelauan communities in New Zealand for the move by Tokelau towards self-determination;
17
Commends the professional and transparent conduct of the referendum to determine the future status of Tokelau, which was held from 11 to 15 February 2006 and monitored by the United Nations;
18
Notes that the referendum failed by a narrow margin to produce the two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast required by the General Fono to change Tokelau’s status as a Non-Self-Governing Territory under the administration of New Zealand;
19
Welcomes the agreement of New Zealand to the request by the Tokelau Council of Ongoing Government to maintain the referendum package of a draft Constitution and draft Treaty of Free Association as a possible basis for a future act of self-determination by Tokelau;
20
Requeststhe Special Committee to continue to examine the question of the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Tokelau and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-second session.
