General Assembly, adopted (by89votesinfavour and9abstentions) theDeclaration ontheGranting ofIndependence toColonial Countries andPeoples. Atthattime, theUnited Nations numbered 101Members. TheseMemherStates included theoriginal European colonial Powers, theirformerprototypal colonies intheAmericas, a mixture ofoldandnewnation-States fromtheAsianandPacific regions, andafew newlyindependent African States. Together thesecountries madeapromise to mankind: apledge tosucceeding generations that"allpeoples havetherightto self-determination: byvirtue ofthatrighttheyfreely determine theirpolitical status andfreely pursue theeconomic, social andcultural development", andthat "inadequacy ofpolitical, economic, social oreducational preparedness should never serveasapretext fordelaying independence". Sinceitsestablishment, theCommittee hasmadearemarkable contribution to theUnited Nations effort inassisting peoples andTerritories throughout theworld togaintheirindependence. Atleast 59former colonial Territories inhabited by morethan80million people haveattained independence andjoinedtheUnited Nations assovereign Members. TheNon-Self-Governing Territories arenowsmallandlargely tobefoundin theCaribbean andPacific regions. Thetaskfacing theUnited Nations istoassist thoseTerritories indetermining theirownfuture. Barbados maintains aspecial interest intheNon-Self-Governing Territories oftheCaribbean. Webelieve that sizeshould notbeadeterrent tothefreeexpression ofthewillofthepeople. Norshould economic circumstance beaninsuperable determinant. Weareasmall territory too. WetooinBarbados experience severelimitations intermsof economic disabilities. Webecame independent on30November 1966. Sincethen,we /...A/AC.109/l043 English Page20 havebeenabletomaintain ourindependence andthefundamental humanrights. Through themaintenance offreeparliamentary representative institutions, wehave beenabletoachieve theeconomic growth andsocial advancement ofourpeople. Wehaveachieved progress bydeveloping bothourhumanandnatural resources, byintegrating ourefforts withthoseofourCaribbean neighbours, andby co-operating intheinternational economic community through theinterchange of goodsandservices. Aboveall,weco-operate withothercountries intheUnited Nations anditsspecialized agencies inattaining thecivilizing goalsofthat worldbody. Anumberofcountries intheCaribbean havegainedtheirindependence since thisCommittee wasestablished in1961,butanumberarestillnotindependent. Barbados believes thatallpeoples should determine freelytheirpresent andfuture status, whether theywishtogainindependence now,whether theywishtoretain theirstatuswiththecolonial oradministering Powerintotheforeseeable future, orwhether theywishtoretainthatstatusintheshort-ormedium-term untilthey canadjusttheireconomic, socialorpolitical circumstance preparatory to exercising theirrighttofreedom andindependence. Theiroptions mustbeleft openfortheNon-Self-Governing Territories todetermine. ThisSeminar presents anopportunity forustofocusontheproblems and prospects oftheNon-Self-Governing Territories oftheregion. Yourpresence here todayisaresounding voteofconfidence inmycountry's unwavering commitment to theprinciples ofself-determination, totherightofallpeoples tofreedom, and totheprocess ofdecolonization. Ithankyouforthistribute. Barbados isalsohonoured tofinditselfinaposition tofurtheritsworkin thisfieldthrough itscurrent vice-chairmanship oftheGeneral Assembly's Fourth Committee which,asyouknow,isseizedoftrusteeship anddecolonization issues. Allowmetotakethisopportunity tohailNamibia's accession toindependence on21March1990. Onthatday,Namibia freeditselfnotonlyoftheyokeof colonialism, butalsothemonstrous andevilsystemofapartheid. Thewell documented passage ofthatcountry fromSouthWestAfricatotheindependent Republic ofNamibia istrulyoneofthefinest examples oftheinvaluable workof theUnited Nations inthefieldofdecolonization • ..Barbados ishappytohaveparticipated inthisprocess, inparticular through
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by a representative of Barbados, focusing on the country's commitment to self-determination and decolonization. The speech highlights Barbados' own experience of gaining independence and its support for the rights of non-self-governing territories to determine their own future. The text also mentions economic growth, social advancement, and international cooperation, which suggests that economic development and international relations may be relevant categories.

**Category**
Economic development, International relations