People of African descent still face racism in every country, region and continent of the world, said United Nations General Assembly President Sam Kutesa as the word body today kicked off its International Decade of People of African Descent.

Joining Sam Kutesa at the Headquarters event was UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, who spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović; and Irina Bokova, Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO).

The event also featured several performances by African musicians.

Speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General, Ms. Amos said that people of African descent suffer from inequality and disadvantage from the history of slavery. People of African descent are among the poorest and most marginalized around the world with limited access to healthcare, education and even employment.

Also joining the event via video conference UNESCO’s Irina Bokova who said the launch of a decade sends at a critical time an essential message of hope, tolerance and human rights.

Speaking:

Sam K. Kutesa, President of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
Video message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Mireille Fanon-Mendes, Chairperson, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
Mohamed Siad Douale, Chairperson, Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Barryl Biekman, Tiye International (civil society representative)

Keynote speaker:

Professor Hilary Beckles, Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies

Statements:

Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet
Tshililo Michael Masutha, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of South Africa
Luiza Bairros, Minister for the Promotion of Policies on Racial Equality of Brazil
Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy
Guillermina Mekuy Mba Obono, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Equatorial Guinea
Carmen Ines Vasquez, Vice Minister of Participation and Equity, Ministry of the Interior of Colombia

G77 and China
African Group
CARICOM
EU

Closure of Launch - Sam K. Kutesa

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