Message by UN Resident Coordinator Yeşim Oruç on the International Day for People of African Descent

It is a day to honor the diverse heritage, values, and vibrant contributions that people of African descent make to every field of human endeavor around the world.  

In his statement marking this International Day, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his call for the full respect of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent and “for formal apologies and reparations for the egregious wrongs of slavery and colonialism.”

Last year, the UN General Assembly, whose President H.E. Abdulla Shahid of Maldives will be visiting Guyana next week, established the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent – by unanimous vote. This Permanent Forum will hold its first session in December this year.

The International Day for People of African Descent follows in part from the World Conference against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa in 2001 and its Declaration and Plan of Action.

The Durban Declaration and Plan of Action is a political recognition by UN Member States that effective corrective measures to dismantle discriminatory structures and institutions require an assessment of the past, and acknowledgement of the consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and of enslavement and colonialism.

Speaking at the 20th anniversary of this landmark Conference last year in New York, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action and “to eradicate all forms of racism and racial discrimination and to ensure inclusive development with equal access and sharing in Guyana’s wealth.”   

The UN System welcomes these commitments and applauds the hard work and dedication of the many individuals and groups in Guyana, including those in the civil society, who advance the goals of the Durban Plan of Action and of the International Decade for People of African Descent: justice, recognition and development. They support cultural, social and economic development activities and promote the significant contributions by people of African descent to the development of this country. Indeed, the recent Emancipation Day observations in Guyana earlier this month witnessed a marvelous celebration by all people of Guyana of the vibrancy and resilience of people of African descent throughout Guyana’s history and today.

The UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO houses the most extensive repository of scientific knowledge, networks and resources to promote open and honest conversation around the horror of racism and greed of slavery. There is no better time than today to celebrate the International Day for People of African Descent, and to join this conversation.

On behalf of the UN system, we wish all people of Guyana a joyful and peaceful Day for People of African Descent.