MEDIA ADVISORY

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: Regional Meeting for Africa on the International Decade for People of African Descent

THEME: “Recognition, Justice and Development”

DATE: 23-24 October 2019 - 09:30hr

WHO: The Government of Senegal, The UN office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in cooperation with the African Union

Guest speakers

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Coordinator of the International Decade for people of African descent, Ms. Michelle Bachelet

Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey

WHERE: King Fahd Hotel, Dakar, Senegal

Background:

The International Decade for People of Africa descent (2015-2024) was officially launched by the former High Commissioner and Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat during the first African Union- United Nations High Level Dialogue on Human Rights in Addis Ababa on 24 April 2018.

Since the launch, OHCHR and the African Union have been working together on the Decade, including the “African Union Continental Symposium on the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent” in Accra, Ghana (September 2018) which developed an Action Plan for the African Union activities. Learn more: https://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/

The main objective of the International Decade is to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African descent, as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The regional meeting shall focus on the following objectives:
1. To strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic , social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society;

2. To promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;

3. To adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation.

The Key Expected Outcomes of the Regional Meeting Include:

1. Enhanced knowledge and awareness of African Governments and stakeholders about the International Decade for People of African Descent and its Programme of Activities (General Assembly resolution 69/16);

2. Increased relevance of the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their links to the International Decade;

3. Increased engagement and commitment of partners and stakeholders to implement the Decade at the national and regional levels;

4. Development of the Declaration for the region of Africa regarding the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Media Contact:
Ms. Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng| Communications Officer-Agenda 2063 | African Union Commission | E-mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org|