The newly elected chairperson of the United Nations' decolonisation body has called for new strategies to end what he calls the archaic concept of colonialism.
Diego Morejon Pazmino says there needs to be frank dialogue and a focus by the Special Committee on Decolonisation on economic and environmental considerations.
American Samoa, Guam, New Caledonia, Pitcairn and Tokelau remain on the UN's list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Mr Morejon Pazmino says the 16 territories on the list continue to suffer from the financial crisis and climate change.
He says the committee's annual seminar will be held this year in the Pacific region and Papua New Guinea's representative has suggested PNG could host the meeting.
