28 October, 9.30 – 12.30, Online webinar opening by Christina Meinecke, Regional Representative for Europe,

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

I would like to welcome all participants to OHCHR’s launch of the Second Decade for People of African descent. This is the third of five regional launches covering Aisa and the Pacific, South America, the Middle East and Africa.

I extend a particular warm welcome to our distinguished speakers,

• Isabelle Mamadou, Member of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
• Dr. Barryl A. Biekman, Head of African Union African Diaspora, Sixth Region High Council; Coordinator of the Europe Pan African Forum People of African Descent
• Modi Ntambwe, Europe Pan African Forum of People of African Descent Chapter Belgium and PAD Belgium Observatory
• Michaela Moua, Anti Racism Coordinator of the European Commission
• Myriam Taylor, Global Strategist and Founder of MUXIMA Humanity Summit
• Dr. Amina Tall, Author and Publicist.

I am pleased to join you today at this Europe Launch of the Second Decade. Let me dive straight into the achievements of the first Decade, remaining challenges and importance of the Second Decade.

The first International Decade for People of African Descent ran from 2015–2024. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly under the theme “Recognition, Justice, and Development.” It established a global framework to promote the full realization of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent. Guided by resolutions 68/237 and 69/16, it called on States, international organizations, and civil society to take concrete actions and report progress annually, under the coordination of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Over the past Decade, this initiative has fostered significant progress:

• There were several global milestones: the establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in 2021, and the proclamation of two international observances — since 2020, 31 August is the International Day for People of African Descent, and since 2024, 25 July as the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent.
• More than 30 countries adopted or amended constitutions, laws and policies to confront racial discrimination and to formally recognize people of African descent as distinct communities. New national and regional institutions were created to lead and coordinate these efforts.
• These developments have brought greater visibility to the challenges and contributions of people of African descent, particularly women and girls.
• Overall, the first Decade has strengthened international commitment and created a shared agenda for justice, equality, and recognition.

Yet, despite this progress, systemic racism remains deeply entrenched in many societies. People of African descent continue to face multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination that limit access to basic rights and opportunities. Inequalities persist across health, education, employment, and representation in public life. These disparities are compounded by racial bias in law enforcement and criminal justice, digital discrimination, poverty, and climate injustice, which disproportionately affect communities of African descent. Women and girls often experience the heaviest burdens, sitting at the intersection of racial, gender, and economic inequality. While the First Decade brought awareness and partial reform, the deeper systems of oppression remain largely intact.

Recognizing these ongoing challenges, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 79/193 on 17 December 2024, and proclaimed the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034) under the same powerful theme as the First Decade: “Recognition, Justice, and Development.” It extended the first Decades programme of activities. The Second Decade emphasizes continuity, inclusion, and accountability.

One of its central goals is the elaboration and adoption of a United Nations Declaration on the Human Rights of People of African Descent. This Declaration would serve as a historic and legally grounded commitment to dismantle systemic racism and ensure equality across all regions.

Furthermore, the Second Decade is to be guided by the lived experiences, knowledge, and leadership of people of African descent to shape every stage — from design to implementation. Ultimately, the success of the Second Decade will depend however on our collective ability to bridge the gap between recognition and realization — to turn promises into progress, awareness into accountability, and commitment into change.

The next ten years offer a renewed opportunity and I am giving now the floor to our speakers and moderator to introduce in greater detail the Second Decade, achievements in Europe and the challenges we still face, the way forward, the role of civil society participation and the particular efforts at both EU and national level to advance full implementation of the rights of people of people of African descent.