Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands A/RES/69/105 A-B Recalling the dispatch of the United Nations special mission to Bermuda in 2005, at the request of the territorial Government and with the concurrence of the administering Power, which provided information to the people of the Territory on the role of the United Nations in the process of self-determination, on the legitimate political status options as clearly defined in General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960 and on the experiences of other small States that have achieved a full measure of self-government, Aware of serious concerns regarding good governance, transparency and accountability in the Territory, including with respect to external election campaign financing originating in a neighbouring country, which led the Premier to resign in May 2014 with a view to maintaining integrity and confidence in the political landscape, Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory and of Bermuda’s associate membership in the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, 1. Stresses the importance of the 2005 report of the Bermuda Independence Commission, which provides a thorough examination of the facts surrounding independence, and continues to regret that the plans for public meetings and the presentation of a Green Paper to the House of Assembly followed by a White Paper outlining the policy proposals for an independent Bermuda have so far not materialized; 2. Underlines the need further to strengthen good governance, transparency and accountability in government for the benefit of the Territory; 3. Requests the administering Power to assist the Territory by facilitating its work concerning public educational outreach efforts, consistent with Article 73 b of the Charter, and in that regard calls upon the relevant United Nations organizations to provide assistance to the Territory, if requested; 4. Welcomes the active participation of Bermuda in the work of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean; IV British Virgin Islands Taking note of the working paper prepared by the Secretariat on the British Virgin Islands12 and other relevant information, Noting the statement made by the representative of the British Virgin Islands at the Caribbean regional seminar held in Quito from 28 to 30 May 2013 that while the Territory’s relationship with the administering Power was stable and not problematic, it could be enhanced, Aware of the negative impact of the global economic slowdown on the growth of the financial and tourism services sectors of the Territory, Cognizant of the potential usefulness of regional ties for the development of a small island Territory and of the Territory’s membership in the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council, 1. Recalls the 2007 Constitution of the British Virgin Islands, and stresses the importance of continued discussions on constitutional matters, to accord greater responsibility to the territorial Government for the effective implementation of the Constitution and increased levels of education relating to constitutional matters; _______________ 12 A/AC.109/2014/6. 9/16