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📍 New York, NY — The United Nations marked the International Day for People of African Descent on September 1 with a renewed call for justice, dignity, and equality. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the “extraordinary” contributions of African peoples while warning that the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to manifest through systemic racism, economic disparity, and digital exclusion.
Guterres emphasized the growing influence of white supremacy and racial bias online, amplified by social media algorithms. He welcomed the adoption of the Global Digital Compact in 2024, part of the UN’s Pact for the Future, which aims to combat discrimination and hate speech in digital spaces.
This year’s observance also marked the launch of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034), themed “Recognition, Justice, and Development.” Building on the progress of the first decade, which saw over 30 countries revise anti-discrimination laws and policies, the new initiative seeks to deepen global efforts to address racial inequality.
Key milestones from the previous decade include the establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the creation of international days celebrating diaspora contributions, particularly those of women and girls.
Looking ahead, Guterres urged member states to treat the coming years as a “decade of action,” with goals including the drafting of a UN Declaration affirming the full human rights of people of African descent.
Excerpts from Jurist.com article by Siddhi Joshi | National U. of Study and Research in Law, IN
