06/16/2026
New York, 16 June 2026, Timor-Leste delivered a statement at the Substantive Session of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) on the Question of Western Sahara. Reaffirming its steadfast commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), Timor-Leste underscored that the people of Western Sahara retain their inalienable right to self-determination and to freely determine their political future.
Drawing from its own experience of achieving independence through a United Nations-led process, Timor-Leste emphasized that the decolonization of Western Sahara remains an unfinished responsibility of the international community. The delegation of Timor-Leste reiterated its support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and MINURSO in advancing a peaceful, just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution consistent with international law.
Timor-Leste remains convinced that respect for international law, meaningful dialogue, and the free expression of the will of peoples are essential foundations for lasting peace. Timor-Leste calls for renewed determination to bring the decolonization process of Western Sahara to a successful conclusion and to ensure that the right to self-determination is fully realized in practice.
Read the full speech here:https://estatements.un.org/estatements/12.0200/20260616100000000/TewTFWEgdAFN/wlJMHCjQJeTvyWY_nyc_en.pdf