Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories2026 · Date · History · Messages
A/RES/54/91
About Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
The Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories is observed from 25 to 31 May in connection with the United Nations decolonization agenda and the rights and aspirations of peoples living in territories that have not attained a full measure of self-government.
Its history reaches back to a differently titled solidarity week proclaimed in 1972. The current form was requested by the General Assembly in 1999, so the predecessor and successor phases should not be collapsed into one undifferentiated origin story.
Why Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories matters
The Week provides a recurring point for attention to self-determination, political status, economic and social development, cultural identity and the responsibilities of administering Powers under the UN Charter.
A responsible guide should describe the institutional decolonization framework accurately and avoid implying that all remaining territories have identical political circumstances or preferences.
History of Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
In 1972, A/RES/2911(XXVII) proclaimed a predecessor solidarity week focused on colonial peoples of Southern Africa and Guinea (Bissau) and Cape Verde, beginning on 25 May, which the resolution identified as Africa Liberation Day.
In 1999, A/RES/54/91 requested the Special Committee on decolonization to observe annually the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, commencing with the week beginning 25 May 1999.
The current United Nations calendar presents the observance as 25–31 May each year.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Week of Solidarity with the Colonial Peoples of Southern Africa and Guinea (Bissau) and Cape Verde Fighting for Freedom, Independence and Equal Rights
A/RES/2911(XXVII) created the earlier solidarity week beginning on Africa Liberation Day; A/RES/54/91 later requested the current Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories beginning with 25 May 1999.
United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/54/91
First documented observance
UN reference material states that A/RES/54/91 requested the Week commencing with the week beginning 25 May 1999.
Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee on Decolonization/C-24)
A/RES/54/91 requests the Special Committee to observe the Week annually.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
Read the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories and compare the historical and present-day context of two territories without assuming they are politically interchangeable.
Review Chapter XI of the UN Charter and identify the obligations associated with the administration of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Use UN decolonization materials to distinguish self-determination principles, administering-Power responsibilities and territory-specific political processes.
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories Facts
The current Week is observed from 25 to 31 May.
A/RES/54/91 was adopted on 6 December 1999 and requested annual observance of the Week beginning with 25 May 1999.
The Special Committee on decolonization is the institutional body requested to observe the Week annually.
A 1972 predecessor week began on 25 May, Africa Liberation Day.
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories Messages
May Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/54/91 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Meetings Coverage reference — observance history (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Week of Solidarity with Non-Self-Governing Territories (opens in a new tab)
Source Linked Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories?
25–31 May The documented recurrence rule is: 25–31 May.
Does Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international week. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee on Decolonization/C-24).
Is Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international week. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories?
It is observed from 25 to 31 May.
Which UN instrument established the current form of the Week?
The General Assembly requested the current annual observance in A/RES/54/91, adopted on 6 December 1999.
Was there an earlier solidarity week?
Yes. A 1972 General Assembly resolution proclaimed a predecessor week focused on colonial peoples in Southern Africa and Guinea (Bissau) and Cape Verde, beginning on 25 May, Africa Liberation Day.