UN Chief Calls for Justice and ‘Real Change’ for People of African Descent
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the international community to accelerate efforts to achieve justice and meaningful change for people of African descent, as the world marks the International Day for People of African Descent.
In a statement, Mr Guterres paid tribute to the “extraordinary” contributions of people of African descent across all spheres of life, while acknowledging the “long shadows” of slavery and colonialism, which continue to manifest in systemic racism, economic inequality, and the digital divide.
He warned that harmful ideologies persist in the modern era. “White supremacy and dehumanising narratives are amplified by social media, and, too often, racial bias is encoded in algorithms,” he said. Highlighting the Global Digital Compact adopted in 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future, Mr Guterres welcomed commitments to combat discrimination and hate speech in digital technologies.
Marking eighty years since the UN Charter enshrined equal rights and human dignity, and sixty years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Secretary-General declared: “It is long past time to right historic wrongs.”
This year’s observance is the first within the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2025 to 2034 under the theme “Recognition, Justice, and Development.” Building on progress made between 2015 and 2024 – including new anti-discrimination laws, the creation of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and International Days celebrating diaspora communities – the UN is calling for the next decade to drive systemic reform.
Mr Guterres urged all nations to work towards a United Nations Declaration that fully affirms the human rights of people of African descent, ensuring their aspirations are recognised, respected, and celebrated.
