American Samoa was on the agenda of the December 2019 General Assembly of the United Nations.
And a resolution on the question of American Smaoa was adopted by the world body.
The reoslution acknowleged the outcome of the referendum held on November 6, 2018 in which the proposal to give the Fono the authority to overide the governor’s veto power was rejected.
The resolution expresses concern by the use and exploitation of the natural resources of the non self governing territories by the administering powers for their benefit, by the use of the territories as international financial centers to the detriment of the world economy and by the consequences of any economic activities of the adminidtering powers that are contrary to the interest of the people of the territory.
It also states that any negotiations to determine the status of American Samoa must take place with the active involvement and participation of the people of the territory under the auspices of the United Nations, on a case by case basis, and that the views of the people of American Samoa in respect of their right to self determination should be ascertained.
The UN General Assembly also notes that in order for the Special Committee on Decolonization to enhance its understanding of the political status of the people of American Samoa and to fulfill its mandate effectively, it’s important for it to be apprised by the United States of America as the administering power. and to receive information from other appropriate sources, including the respresentatives of the territory concerning the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory.
The resolution requests that the territory and the aministering power take all measures necessary to protect and conserve the environment of the territory against any degradation, and once again requests the specialized agencies (of the UN) concerned to monitor environmental conditions in the territory and to provide assistance to American Samoa consistent with their prevailing rules of procedure.
It also requests the Special Committee on Decolonization to examine the question of American Samoa and to report to the General Assembly at its next session.
Read the full resolution hereA_RES_74_98_E
