PCC AND EPKNC CALL ON UN TO ADVANCE DECOLONISATION IN KANAKY

PCC AND EPKNC CALL ON UN TO ADVANCE DECOLONISATION IN KANAKY

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, United States| 16 June 2026

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) and the Église Protestante de Kanaky Nouvelle-Calédonie (EPKNC) have called on the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) to take concrete action towards the fulfilment of Kanak self-determination and the completion of the decolonisation process in Kanaky.

Addressing the Committee in New York on 15 June, PCC General Secretary Rev. James Shri Bhagwan and EPKNC General Secretary Rev. Billy Wetewea presented the concerns and aspirations of Kanak communities, highlighting the social, political and economic impacts of the crisis that began in May 2024.

Rev. Wetewea reminded the Committee that the Church has long stood alongside the Kanak people in their pursuit of justice, dignity and self-determination.

Rev. Billy Wetewea, General Secretary of the EPKNC

“Affirming Kanak existence does not deny the rights of others. The justice we seek is not against anyone, but for life, peace and dignity for all.”

Drawing on the experiences of families, women, youth, customary leaders and communities across Kanaky, Rev. Wetewea urged the United Nations to fulfil its responsibility to support a genuine process of decolonisation and lasting peace.

Rev. Bhagwan presented key findings from the Pacific Peoples’ Mission to Kanaky New Caledonia, which visited the territory in April 2025 and documented the impacts of long-standing inequality, unfulfilled commitments under the Nouméa Accord and concerns regarding the current decolonisation process.

The Mission found that the events of May 2024 were not an isolated breakdown of public order but reflected deeper structural issues within an unfinished decolonisation process. It also witnessed the resilience of local communities, particularly the role of women, youth, churches and customary leaders in maintaining peace and supporting affected families.

Rev. James Bhagwan – General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches

“Peace in Kanaky is already being woven from within. It cannot be imposed from Paris.”

The church leaders called on the United Nations to move beyond documenting colonial injustice and take practical steps to advance self-determination, including accepting the Pacific Peoples’ Mission Report, deploying a joint C-24 and Melanesian Spearhead Group mission, integrating recent UN human rights findings into the decolonisation process, and establishing a clear timetable for decolonisation.

The intervention comes as the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism enters its final years, with PCC and EPKNC urging the international community to ensure that Kanaky is not carried unfinished into another decade.

The full statements delivered by Rev. Billy Wetewea and Rev. James Shri Bhagwan to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization are available below (in English and French).

Rev. Billy Wetewea’s Oral Statement to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) – Read More

Rev. James Bhagwan’s Oral Statement to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) – Read More