United Nations General Assembly A/RES/57/136 Distr.: General 25 February 2003 Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 19 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/57/528)] 57/136. Question of New Caledonia The General Assembly, Having considered the question of New Caledonia, Having examined the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to New Caledonia, 1 Reaffirming the right of peoples to self-determination as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling its resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, Noting the importance of the positive measures being pursued in New Caledonia by the French authorities, in cooperation with all sectors of the population, to promote political, economic and social development in the Territory, including measures in the area of environmental protection and action with respect to drug abuse and trafficking, in order to provide a framework for its peaceful progress to self-determination, Noting also, in this context, the importance of equitable economic and social development, as well as continued dialogue among the parties involved in New Caledonia in the preparation of the act of self-determination of New Caledonia, Noting with satisfaction the intensification of contacts between New Caledonia and neighbouring countries of the South Pacific region, 1. Welcomes the significant developments that have taken place in New Caledonia, as exemplified by the signing of the Nouméa Accord of 5 May 1998 between the representatives of New Caledonia and the Government of France; 2 _______________ 1 A/57/23 (Part II), chap. IX. For the final text, see Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 23. 2 A/AC.109/2114, annex. 02 54722