Decolonisation in focus as Baku Initiative Group leads historic UN conference PHOTO

The Baku Initiative Group has convened an international conference titled “Decolonisation: Silent Revolution” at the United Nations headquarters in New York, marking a significant milestone in global advocacy for the rights of peoples under colonial rule.

The event was organized on the margins of the 4th session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

This marks the first time the conference has been formally registered as an official UN event, underscoring the growing international recognition of decolonisation as a pressing issue in contemporary geopolitics.

The conference brings together a diverse group of experts, political figures, and human rights activists from regions still considered to be under colonial administration, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Kanaky (New Caledonia), Saint Martin, Réunion, Bonaire, Aruba, Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), and French Guiana. These territories, administered by France and the Netherlands, continue to grapple with the legacy and ongoing realities of colonial governance.

Two key thematic sessions are being held during the conference. The first explores the historical silencing and cultural marginalisation faced by communities in colonial territories. The second session addresses contemporary movements for self-determination and the challenges posed by the geopolitical status quo.

The Baku Initiative Group, which champions the decolonisation agenda and advocates for the rights of indigenous and colonised peoples, views this conference as a pivotal moment in the global push toward justice, autonomy, and recognition for historically marginalised territories.

By bringing the voices of these communities to the international stage, the conference aims to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and promote concrete action toward the end of colonial practices in the 21st century.

By Vafa Guliyeva