United Nations marks International Day for People of African Descent

On the International Day for People of African Descent, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for increased action to ensure equality and justice. While honoring the global contributions of people of African descent, Guterres warned that progress toward equality is being rolled back in certain nations and emphasized the necessity of removing barriers to their full potential.

UN rights chief Volker Türk noted that while there has been global progress in addressing racial discrimination, there is a growing backlash against these efforts in some regions. He stated that racism “corrodes our social fabric” and urged the world to embrace shared humanity rather than a “smaller future.”

Additionally, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination highlighted that the legacy of chattel slavery continues to drive modern disparities in health, education, and economic opportunity. The committee noted that the economic effects of “centuries of stolen labour” persist across generations, underscoring the need for comprehensive reparations and the dismantling of systemic racism.