UN Chief Calls for Global Action Against Racism Towards People of African Descent

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged global action to combat racism and discrimination against people of African descent, marking the International Day dedicated to the diaspora, UN’s website reported yesterday.

He emphasized the need for a second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034) to accelerate efforts for change, following the initial decade launched in 2015.

Guterres highlighted the enduring legacies of enslavement and colonialism, noting that systemic racism persists, even in new technologies. He called on governments to implement policies tackling systemic racism and to pursue reparatory justice for historical injustices.

UN Human Rights Council experts echoed his sentiments, stressing the necessity for stronger human rights frameworks and monitoring systems. With the upcoming UN Summit of the Future and the 16th Conference of the Parties for biodiversity, they urged member states to address the challenges faced by people of African descent. “The time for decisive action is now,” they declared.