On the margins of the Sixtieth Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the African Group, with the support of the Permanent Delegation of the African Union, organised, on 1st October 2025, its second mobilization event in the form of a reception to galvanise support for the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance around the world. After a first initiative held in 2024 under the AU theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations”, the 2025 event was held under the theme of “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and scaling up efforts for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA)”.

During the occasion, the Ambassadors of South Africa, and Ghana delivered statements on behalf of the African Group. They emphasized that ICERD and the DDPA remain milestones in the global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as it addresses the deep historical roots of contemporary racism.

The distinguished speakers who took the floor, also highlighted that the scourge of discrimination, including structural and systematic racism, remains the root cause of poverty, marginalization, social exclusion, and inequalities and it continues to undermine global efforts to end these fundamental challenges affecting marginalised communities around the world.

The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the full implementation of the DDPA emphasized the need for the adoption of intersecting and holistic approaches to ensure the effectiveness of policies and other measures against the scourge of racism, through full and effective implementation of the DDPA.

In the same vein, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance continue to plague societies, propped up by entrenched power structures, vested interests, institutional inertia and harmful stereotypes, often rooted in legacies of colonialism and enslavement. He also expressed support to AU initiatives aiming at fighting racism and addressing its consequences and contemporary manifestations.

The African Group recalled the 2025 AU theme of the year on “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations” and highlighted the need for the international community to rally efforts around this AU strategic vision.

Through this initiative which was attended by Member States from all regions, UN mechanisms and civil society representatives, the African Group in Geneva could reaffirm its firm commitment and its full ownership of the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.

Finally, the Permanent Delegation of the African Union and the African Group expressed satisfaction and were grateful to the Delegation of South Africa for the valuable and precious support provided during this important event.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communications Directorate, AUC, and Communication Adviser of the Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | E-mail: yamboue@africanunion.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)