The 4th session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent began this week at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing renewed international scrutiny to France and the Netherlands over their continued control of several overseas territories.
Established by a UN General Assembly resolution on August 2, 2021, the forum aims to address the historical and contemporary injustices rooted in slavery and colonialism.
This year’s session drew particular attention thanks to the collaboration between the Forum and the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), an international platform advocating decolonization through international law. BIG enabled the participation of representatives from territories still under French and Dutch rule, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, Kanaky (New Caledonia), Sint Maarten, Réunion, Bonaire, Aruba, Maohi Nui (French Polynesia), and French Guiana.
Speaking at the session, BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov detailed his organization’s efforts to support territories still under colonial control, expressing regret that these regions “continue to suffer from the colonial regime to this day.”
Abbasov also announced an upcoming international conference titled “Decolonization: The Quiet Revolution” to be held on April 15, organized by BIG in cooperation with the Permanent Forum. He invited all UN member states to attend.
Several representatives from France's overseas territories took the floor to denounce the ongoing colonial policies. Delegates from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Guiana, and Sint Maarten called for stronger unity and collaboration in achieving independence and self-determination.
In addition, the session featured the presentation of a detailed report, “The Evolution of French Colonialism: A Political and Constitutional Study,” authored by recognized UN expert Carlyle Corbin. Commissioned by BIG, the report explores France’s post-colonial governance structure and the lingering political and constitutional mechanisms used to maintain influence over its territories.
The session reinforced growing international calls for concrete steps toward decolonization and reparative justice, particularly in regions where colonial influence persists under the guise of overseas administration.
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Web Summit Qatar 2026 opened in Doha on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands of founders, investors, policymakers and technology leaders to what organisers describe as one of the region’s largest digital economy gatherings.
The Kremlin has confirmed that the next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States will be held in Abu Dhabi on 4–5 February, after the meeting was postponed last week to align the schedules of all delegations.
Kazakhstan’s Reform Commission has published a draft of a new Constitution that would mark the most extensive revision of the country’s law since independence, including an absolute ban on the death penalty and more rights and freedoms for citizens.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of authorising intelligence operations aimed at eliminating “undesirable leaders” in Africa, claiming that Paris is pursuing a political comeback after losing ground in several former colonies.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
U.S. president Donald Trump said Iran is “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed hope that negotiations could lead to an outcome acceptable to Washington.
The Kremlin has confirmed that the next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States will be held in Abu Dhabi on 4–5 February, after the meeting was postponed last week to align the schedules of all delegations.
Hungary has vowed legal action against the European Union over a planned ban on Russian gas imports by 2027, after Brussels said national objections would not override EU law.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of authorising intelligence operations aimed at eliminating “undesirable leaders” in Africa, claiming that Paris is pursuing a political comeback after losing ground in several former colonies.
Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar are trying to organise a meeting in Ankara between White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and top Iranian officials, according to reports in the U.S. and Turkish media.
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at least 24 sanctioned Russian defence companies, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
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