A/RES/51/224 Page 3 Conscious of the particular vulnerability of the small Territories to natural disasters and environmental degradation, Aware of the usefulness both to the Territories and to the Special Committee of the participation of appointed and elected representatives of the Territories in the work of the Special Committee, Convinced that the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of the Territories should continue to guide the development of their future political status and that referendums, free and fair elections, and other forms of popular consultation play an important role in ascertaining the wishes and aspirations of the people, Convinced also that any negotiations to determine the status of a Territory must not take place without the active involvement and participation of the people of that Territory, Recognizing that all available options for self-determination are valid as long as they are in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned and in conformity with the clearly defined principles contained in resolutions 1514 (XV), 1541 (XV) and other resolutions of the General Assembly, Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the Territories, and considering that the possibility of sending further visiting missions to the Territories at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Powers should be kept under review, Taking note of the fact that the Special Committee held at Port Moresby, from 12 to 14 June 1996, a Pacific regional seminar to review the situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories, particularly their political evolution towards self-determination by the year 2000, Mindful that in order for the Special Committee to enhance its understanding of the political status of the peoples of the Territories, and to fulfil its mandate effectively, it is important for the Committee to be apprised by the administering Powers, and to receive information from other appropriate sources, concerning the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of the Territories, Mindful also that in this connection the Special Committee regards the holding of regional seminars in the Caribbean and Pacific regions and at Headquarters and other venues, with the active participation of representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, as a helpful means to fulfil its mandate, while recognizing the need for reviewing the role of these seminars in the context of a United Nations programme for ascertaining the political status of the Territories, Mindful further that some Territories have not had any United Nations visiting mission for a long period of time, Noting with appreciation the contribution to the development of some Territories by specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, and regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank, /...