CanadaPolitics

I found a statement from an Australian official that claims to speak on behalf of Canada and New Zealand as well, but it's from October 16th, so not sure if it's the same reasoning.

https://unny.mission.gov.au/unny/251016_EOV_Fourth_Committee_International_Day_against_Colonialism_in_All_Its_Forms_and_Manifestations.html

Thank you Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia.

CANZ members are strong supporters of the right of all peoples to self-determination.

We will continue to promote the full implementation of Article 73 of the UN Charter.

CANZ continues to work across the United Nations’ decolonisation agenda.

We abstained from voting on this resolution for three reasons.

First, there are already a number of existing resolutions on colonialism under consideration by the Fourth Committee.

Second, the resolution contains proposals that go against the spirit and intent of the UN80 Initiative and the UN General Assembly Revitalisation process.

The Secretary General’s UN80 mandate report of 12 May 2025 called for ways to “avoid duplication and ensure strategic use of resources across the UN system”. The GA Revitalization resolution (A/Res/79/327) noted “with concern the significant increase in the number of proposals to proclaim international days” and called for restraint on new mandates. CANZ shares these concerns regarding the proliferation of international days and their resource implications.

Third, this resolution is being introduced by a sponsor whose voting rights are currently suspended in the General Assembly.

Chair, it must also be re-stated in this Committee that one of the co-sponsors of the resolution - a permanent member of the UN Security Council - is actively undermining the decolonisation agenda by waging an illegal war to reassert imperial control over an independent sovereign state.

Russia’s illegal war of aggression undermines the UN Charter which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Our collective commitments to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity are intrinsic to decolonisation.

Chair,

CANZ remains open to good faith discussions on innovative solutions to the complex issue of self-determination.

Thank you.

Here is Article 73: https://legal.un.org/repertory/art73.shtml