UN Secretary-General Urges Justice and Change for Black People

The Secretary-General honored the contributions of people of African descent across all areas of human endeavor in a message released before the Day. He also acknowledged the lasting effects of slavery and colonialism, which include systemic racism, unequal economies and societies, and the digital divide.

The Secretary-General cited the Global Digital Compact, adopted in 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future, as a step forward. The Compact promotes a multilateral system that reflects current realities and benefits everyone, everywhere, with commitments to address discrimination and hate speech in digital technologies. He noted that “white supremacy and dehumanizing narratives” are amplified by social media, and racial bias is often embedded in algorithms.

Eighty years after the United Nations Charter reaffirmed the equal rights and inherent dignity of every human being, and sixty years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, he stated that it is time to correct historical injustices.

This year’s International Day marks the beginning of the second International Decade for People of African Descent, running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034. The decade’s theme is “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development,” aiming to emphasize the importance of recognizing the rights and contributions of people of African descent. The Secretary-General has urged for the next ten years to bring about “real change,” including working towards a United Nations Declaration on the full respect of people of African descent’s human rights.

The first Decade saw over 30 countries modify their laws and policies to combat racial discrimination and address specific challenges faced by people of African descent. The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent was established, and new International Days were launched to celebrate the diaspora’s contributions, including those of women and girls.

Building on the progress made between 2015 and 2024, the second Decade aims to strengthen global efforts toward justice and development for people of African descent and create a more equitable future, where the aspirations and rights of people of African descent are fully recognized, honored, and celebrated.