UN Chief Calls for Justice and Genuine Change for People of African Descent Worldwide

News Staff">
September 1, 2025

UN embarks on Decade of Action for People of African Descent

The United Nations is initiating a new ten-year plan aimed at advancing the rights and well-being of People of african Descent globally. This initiative comes as the world continues to grapple with the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism, which manifest as systemic racism, economic disparities, and a widening digital divide.

Secretary-General Calls for Historic Wrongs to be righted

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the remarkable contributions of individuals of African descent across all aspects of human life. He also acknowledged the persistent challenges stemming from past injustices, including unequal access to opportunities and the amplification of harmful narratives through digital platforms.According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center (December 2023),nearly half of Black Americans report experiencing discrimination in the past year.

Guterres specifically highlighted the importance of addressing racial bias in algorithms and combating hate speech online, pointing to the recently adopted Global Digital Compact as a crucial step forward. This compact, established as part of the 2024 Pact for the Future, seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape.

Second Decade Focuses on Recognition, Justice, and Development

The second International Decade for People of African Descent, running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034, is centered around the theme of “recognition, Justice, and Development.” The United Nations intends for this decade to be a period of tangible progress, including the pursuit of a United Nations Declaration affirming the full respect of human rights for people of African descent.

The first decade, from 2015 to 2024, witnessed meaningful legislative changes in over 30 nations, aimed at dismantling racial discrimination and addressing the unique challenges faced by communities of African descent. The creation of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the launch of new International Days celebrating the diaspora’s contributions were also key achievements.

Progress Made: A Snapshot

Area	First Decade (2015-2024) Achievements
Legislative Changes	Over 30 countries amended laws to combat racial discrimination.
UN Bodies	Establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
Recognition	Launch of International Days celebrating the African diaspora.

Did You Know? The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted in 1965, provides a extensive framework for combating racial discrimination worldwide.

Pro Tip: Stay informed about the ongoing efforts to promote racial justice by visiting the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (https://www.ohchr.org/).

Building on the momentum of the first decade, the current effort aims to amplify these gains and foster a more just and equitable future for individuals of African descent worldwide.

What steps can individuals take to actively support the cause of racial justice in their communities? How can technology be leveraged to dismantle systemic racism and promote inclusivity?

Understanding the Ancient Context

The challenges faced by People of African Descent are deeply rooted in centuries of systemic oppression, beginning with the transatlantic slave trade and continuing through colonialism and its enduring legacies. Recognizing this historical context is crucial for understanding the present-day disparities and for formulating effective solutions.

Ongoing research consistently demonstrates the impact of historical trauma on contemporary health outcomes and socioeconomic status within communities of African descent. Addressing these intergenerational effects is central to achieving lasting equity.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the International Decade for People of African Descent? It’s a UN-led initiative spanning 2015-2034, focused on improving the lives of people of African descent globally.
• What are the key goals of the second decade? The focus is on recognition,justice,and development for people of African descent.
• How does the Global Digital Compact relate to racial justice? It aims to address discrimination and hate speech in digital technologies.
• What was achieved during the first decade? Over 30 countries changed laws, and the Permanent Forum was established.
• Why is recognizing historical wrongs important? Addressing past injustices is essential for building a more equitable future.

Share this article and join the conversation! What are your thoughts on the UN’s efforts to promote racial justice?

How might the UN Statistical Commission (UNSD) contribute to achieving racial equity, based on the Secretary-General’s emphasis on data collection and analysis?

The Urgent Call to Action

On September 1st, 2025, the UN Secretary-General issued a powerful call for systemic justice and transformative change for people of African descent globally. This statement, delivered amidst ongoing global conversations surrounding racial equality and social justice, underscores the persistent inequalities faced by this community and the urgent need for concrete action. The call builds upon decades of UN efforts, overseen by bodies like the United Nations statistical Commission (UNSD), to collect data and monitor disparities impacting African descendants.

Understanding the Scope of Systemic Racism

the UN Chief’s address highlighted the multifaceted nature of discrimination, extending beyond overt racism to encompass systemic biases embedded within institutions.These biases manifest in several key areas:

Criminal Justice: Disproportionate rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration for people of African descent remain a critical concern. This includes issues like racial profiling, harsher sentencing, and limited access to legal representation.

Economic opportunity: Significant wealth gaps, limited access to quality education and employment, and discriminatory housing practices continue to hinder economic advancement.

Political Representation: Underrepresentation in political leadership positions limits the ability of African descendants to advocate for thier own interests and shape policies that affect their lives.

Healthcare Disparities: Unequal access to healthcare, coupled with implicit bias within the medical system, contributes to poorer health outcomes.

education System: Unequal funding, biased curriculum, and lack of diverse representation in teaching staff contribute to educational disadvantages.

These systemic issues are not isolated incidents but rather deeply rooted patterns of discrimination that require comprehensive solutions. Terms like racial justice, equity, and anti-racism are central to understanding the necessary shifts in policy and practice.

Key Demands from the UN Secretary-General

The Secretary-General’s statement outlined several specific demands for governments and international organizations:

1. Reparations for Historical Injustices: Acknowledging the lasting impact of slavery and colonialism, the call included a renewed push for exploring and implementing reparations programs. This isn’t simply about financial compensation, but also about restorative justice, acknowledging harm, and addressing ongoing disadvantages.
2. Data Collection & Analysis: Emphasizing the importance of disaggregated data – data broken down by race and ethnicity – to accurately identify and address inequalities. The UNSD plays a vital role in promoting standardized data collection methodologies.
3. Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Implementing and enforcing anti-discrimination laws,ensuring equal protection under the law,and addressing systemic biases within legal systems.
4. Investing in education & Economic empowerment: Increasing access to quality education, job training programs, and entrepreneurship opportunities for people of African descent.
5. Promoting Inclusive Representation: Actively working to increase representation of people of African descent in all levels of government, leadership positions, and decision-making processes.
6. Addressing Implicit Bias: Implementing training programs to address implicit bias within institutions, including law enforcement, healthcare, and education.

The Role of the International Community

The UN’s call for action isn’t solely directed at national governments. International organizations,civil society groups,and the private sector all have a crucial role to play.

International Organizations: Supporting national efforts to address racial inequality, providing technical assistance, and promoting best practices.

Civil Society Organizations: Advocating for policy changes, raising awareness, and providing direct support to communities affected by racism.

Private Sector: Implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, promoting equal opportunity in hiring and promotion, and investing in communities of color.

Real-World Examples & Case Studies

Several initiatives demonstrate the potential for positive change:

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001): A landmark UN document that recognized racism as a violation of human rights and called for concrete measures to combat it.

The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024): A UN initiative aimed at promoting recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent. While the decade concluded in 2024, its momentum continues.

Reparations discussions in the Caribbean: Several Caribbean nations are actively pursuing reparations from former colonial powers for the harms of slavery.

Affirmative Action Policies: While controversial, affirmative action policies in some countries have aimed to address historical disadvantages and promote diversity in education and employment.

Benefits of Addressing Racial Inequality

Addressing racial inequality isn’t just a moral imperative; it also has significant economic and social benefits:

Economic Growth: A more equitable society fosters innovation, productivity, and economic growth.

Social Cohesion: Reducing racial tensions and promoting inclusivity strengthens social cohesion and stability.

Improved Public Health: Addressing health disparities improves overall public health outcomes.

Stronger Democracy: Ensuring equal participation in the democratic process strengthens democratic institutions.

Practical Tips for Individuals

Individuals can also contribute to the fight against racism:

Educate Yourself: Learn about the history of racism and its ongoing impact.

Challenge Your Own Biases: Reflect on your own implicit biases and actively work to overcome them.

Speak Out Against Racism: Challenge racist remarks and behaviors whenever you encounter them.

Support Anti-Racist Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations working to combat racism.

* Amplify Black Voices: Share the stories and perspectives of people of African descent.