Fifth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Title: Anti-Racist Education on the Reparation Agenda: Transatlantic Dialogues

Date: 16/04/2026 from 09:00 to 10:00 (CET)

Location: Palais des Nations, Room XI, building A

Organizer: Action Aid Brazil (SETA project)

Language: english and portuguese

Description:
The panel aims to discuss different approaches to implementing anti-racist education in countries of the Global South and Africa. We understand education as a fundamental tool for the reparation of historically marginalized groups. However, anti-racist education must be contextualized and adapted to the specificities of these groups. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider appropriate methodologies with the intent of intervening in public policies for the effective implementation of an inclusive and egalitarian education. Thus, the panel proposes various debates on the theme to exchange successful experiences and problematize the possibilities for consolidating anti-racist education in the Global South and Africa.

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead
organizer’s contact details): Ana Paula Brandão - [email protected]

Title of the side event: Leveraging New Data to Understand Progress and Ongoing Barriers for Black Communities Globally: Education, Employment, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship


Date, time and time zone: April 16, 2026, 9:00-10:00 AM CET (if possible to do 9:00AM to 10:15AM we would be grateful)


Sponsoring organization/entity: The Diversity Institute and co-sponsored by the Government of Canada


Language in which the side event will be held: English


Location: Palais des Nations, room III, building A


Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead organizer’s contact details): Nancy Mitchell, Diversity Institute, [email protected]


Description of the side event (100 words): 
The Diversity Institute, with Gaynel Curry and PFPAD, analyzed the intersectional representation of Black people in leadership roles across several countries in corporate and government sectors. Alongside this is the State of Black Economics Report 2026, exploring recent data on education, employment, leadership, and entrepreneurship for Black communities in Canada, with globally replicable models. Grounded in the ecological model, the session presents progress, gaps, and strategies for change.


Featuring:

• Gaynel Curry, Vice Chair and Elected Chair - PFPAD 
• Tamara Thermitus, Lawyer Emeritus 
• Dr. Mohamed Elmi, Executive Director - DI
• Nancy Mitchell, Director of Consulting - DI

Panel #3: Youth of African descent: Rights-holders and agents of change

The panel will take place on Thursday 16 April from 10:00 to 13:00.

Youth of African descent face systemic and structural inequalities across social, economic, educational, and political spheres. Within education systems, youth of African descent are more likely to encounter exclusionary curricula, discriminatory disciplinary practices, and limited access to quality learning environments, undermining educational outcomes and pathways to decent work. Economic insecurity, including high levels of unemployment and informal work, further constrains opportunities for autonomy, wealth creation, and social mobility. Discriminatory policing practices, racial profiling, and unequal treatment by law enforcement and in criminal justice systems heighten exposure to violence, arbitrary detention, and criminalization. Barriers to political participation, compounded by experiences of racialized violence, harassment, and mistrust of public institutions further restrict the ability of youth of African descent to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.

At the same time, contemporary dynamics, including digitalization and emerging technologies, are reshaping the experiences of youth of African descent, introducing new forms of exclusion while also creating opportunities for mobilization, leadership, and innovation. The discussion will highlight youth leadership, participation, and innovation in advancing human rights, and explore how States and institutions can meaningfully engage and empower youth as partners in shaping policies under the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.

PFPAD5 Concept note (English | Français | Español | Português)

Representation Matters: Afro-Swiss Communities Advancing the Durban Declaration 
The Durban Declaration and Plan of Action (DDPA) provides a global framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. In Switzerland, awareness of UN anti-racism mechanisms and the DDPA remains limited. At the same time, a slowly growing number of Afro-Swiss individuals are entering political office and economic spaces, signaling progress but also highlighting the need for stronger representation.

Background 
Organizations including Phenomenal Women Global (PWG), the Fédération des Associations d'Afrodescendant.e.x.s et de Noir.e.x.s de Genève- FAANG (Federation of Afro-descendant and Black Associations of Geneva) and the Africa Professionals Network Switzerland are at the forefront of mobilizing communities. Together, they aim to build capacity among Afro-Swiss communities to transform local challenges—such as discrimination and employment inequalities—into global priorities through engagement with UN mechanisms and diplomatic channels.

This dialogue will also look at the critical dimension of women of African descent in general face compounded forms of discrimination, both racial and gender-based, in employment, leadership, and representation. Addressing these dynamics ensures that advocacy is inclusive and that women’s voices are central in shaping anti-racism and equality agendas.

Objectives

• Awareness: Increase knowledge of UN mechanisms and the DDPA among Afro-Swiss communities. Learn how to use UN mechanisms and diplomatic engagement to transform local issues into global priorities.
• Advocacy: Equip communities with tools to elevate national issues into global advocacy agendas.
• Representation: Support and highlight Afro-Swiss participation in political , economic spaces, with attention to gender balance.
• Dialogue: Foster collaboration between Afro-Swiss organizations, youth, women leaders, and international actors to advance anti-racism commitments.
• Gender Inclusion: Ensure women’s perspectives and leadership are integrated into all discussions and outcomes.

Date and time: Thursday 16 April from 12:45 to 13:45

Location: Room XI, building A, Palais des Nations

Key Participants

• Afro-Swiss community leaders
• Youth representatives
• Women leaders and advocates
• Diplomatic missions in Switzerland
• UN experts and representatives
• Local Swiss leaders and policymakers

Organizers

• Phenomenal Women Global (PWG)
• African professionals Network Switzerland (APNS)
• FAANG (Federation of Afro-descendant and Black Associations of Geneva) (FAANG)

Expected Outcomes

• Enhanced awareness of UN anti-racism mechanisms and the DDPA.
• A shared Outcome document on how to use to UN mechanisms and forums to address discrimination, employment inequalities, and gender dynamics.
• Strengthened partnerships between Afro-Swiss communities, diplomatic missions, and UN experts.
• Greater visibility of Afro-Swiss voices—especially women and youth—in global anti-racism dialogues.

Programme
Representation Matters: Afro-Swiss Communities Advancing the Durban Declaration
12:45- 12:50: Welcome and Opening
The moderator, H.E. Ambassador of Gambia, Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, welcomes participants
-Brief overview of the webinar theme and objectives
-Introduction of organizers and speakers
-Introduction of the event and its objectives
12:50 to 1:00 United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Martin Kimani
Overview of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action (DDPA) and how to engage with UN racism mechanisms
13:00- 13:25 Panelist Discussion
-Liza Sekaggya Human Rights Officer, OHCHR, President of PWG 5 min
Ahmed Jama Municipal Councillor 5 min
-Laurent Jimaja Administrative Councillor (Mayor) 5 min
-Maître Ndaté DIENG  Lawyer, Advocate 5 min
-Candace Nkoth Bisseckn President, African Professionals Network Switzerland (APNS) 5 min
13:25- 13:40: Interactive Question & Answer Session
Participants engage with speakers and panelists through chat or live participation
13:40- 13:45: Closing Remarks by H.E. Ambassador of Gambia, Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah
Moderator summarizes major insights from the keynote and panel discussion
Final reflections and appreciation of speakers and participants
13:45-14:45
Food and Cocktail hour

Date: 16 April 2026

Time: 12:45 - 13:45

Duration: 1 hour


Venue: Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, Room III, building A

OrganizersCONAQ (Coordenação Nacional de Articulação das Comunidades Negras Rurais Quilombolas)

Proposed institutional invitees and partnersMembers of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); interested Member States engaged in the negotiations toward the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent; representatives of academia; civil society organizations and community leaders.

Background and rationaleAcross the Americas and in other regions, many communities of African descent continue to preserve collective ways of life, territorial bonds, cultural practices, systems of knowledge, and forms of social and political organization that are central to their identity and survival. Yet, despite their historical continuity and collective existence, these communities have not always been adequately recognized within international normative and political frameworks in ways that fully reflect their rights, agency, and specific realities.

The ongoing negotiations toward a future United Nations Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent offer a timely opportunity to reflect more deeply on the recognition of African descent communities as peoples of African descent. This discussion is not merely terminological. It has important implications for how international law, multilateral institutions, and public policies understand collective identity, land rights, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, consultation, participation, and self-organization.

This proposed side event seeks to create a space for dialogue among Member States, civil society representatives, community leadership and academia on the importance of recognizing African descent communities as peoples of African descent. In doing so, it aims to contribute to ongoing multilateral discussions by highlighting the political, legal, historical and practical significance of such recognition.

The discussion will be particularly relevant in light of international standards that affirm that people of African descent, whether dispersed among the broader population or living in communities, are entitled to exercise specific rights without discrimination, including rights related to lands traditionally occupied by them, natural resources where their ways of life are linked to such resources, cultural identity, forms of organization, traditional knowledge, cultural and artistic heritage, and prior consultation in decisions that may affect their rights.

At a time when global debates on equality, reparatory justice, and collective rights are gaining renewed relevance, this event intends to help advance a more nuanced and substantive understanding of the place of African descent communities within the broader international agenda concerning the rights of people of African descent.

ObjectivesThis side event has four interrelated objectives.

-First, to promote reflection on the importance of recognizing African descent communities as peoples of African descent within ongoing multilateral and normative discussions.

-Second, to examine the legal, political and historical implications of such recognition, particularly in relation to collective rights, identity, territory, cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and consultation.

-Third, to contribute to the ongoing negotiations toward the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent by fostering exchange among States, civil society and academia.

-Fourth, to strengthen dialogue on how international standards and multilateral spaces can more effectively reflect the lived realities, historical experiences and collective rights of African descent communities.

Guiding questionsWhat is at stake in recognizing African descent communities as peoples of African descent?

How does this recognition relate to existing international standards on collective rights, cultural identity, land, consultation and traditional knowledge?

What are the legal and political implications of this discussion in the context of the negotiations toward the future United Nations Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent?

How can Member States, civil society and academic actors contribute to a more robust and inclusive understanding of the rights of African descent communities?

What would a more meaningful international recognition of African descent communities require in normative and institutional terms?

Proposed formatThe event is envisioned as a 60-minute strategic dialogue, combining normative reflection, community-based perspectives and multilateral exchange.

A possible structure could be as follows:

Opening remarks
Introductory reflections on the significance of the topic and its relevance to the current work of the Permanent Forum and to the ongoing negotiations on the draft Declaration.

Panel discussion
A moderated conversation among representatives of Member States, civil society, community leadership and academia on the importance of recognizing African descent communities as peoples of African descent, with attention to legal implications, collective rights, and current political debates.

Interactive exchange
Questions, comments and contributions from participants.

Closing remarks
Summary of key reflections and possible pathways for continued engagement in the negotiations and related multilateral discussions.

Expected outcomesThe event is expected to contribute to:

A stronger shared understanding of the importance of recognizing African descent communities as peoples of African descent within international normative and political processes.

Greater visibility for the connections between collective rights, racial justice, cultural identity, land, traditional knowledge and consultation in the context of African descent communities.

Enhanced dialogue among Member States, United Nations representatives, civil society, academia and community leadership on this issue within the framework of the ongoing draft Declaration negotiations.

A more grounded and substantive contribution to international discussions on the rights of people of African descent, particularly with respect to communities whose collective existence and historical experience require more explicit recognition.

Relevance to the Permanent ForumThis event is aligned with the mandate and broader objectives of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent insofar as it promotes dialogue, strengthens participation and advances reflection on the international protection of the rights of people of African descent. It also directly relates to ongoing efforts to deepen the normative content of international standards applicable to people of African descent and to ensure that such standards adequately reflect the realities of communities organized around shared history, territory, culture and collective forms of life.

By focusing on the recognition of African descent communities as peoples of African descent, the event seeks to contribute to a more robust conversation on rights, dignity, historical justice and international recognition within contemporary multilateral processes.

Draft short description for circulationThis side event will bring together Member States, civil society representatives, community leaders and academia to discuss the importance of

SIDE EVENT PROPOSAL
Advancing Reparatory Justice: From the Ghana Resolution to Global Action

Date and time:
16 April 2026, from 14:00 to 15:00 Geneva time

Sponsoring Organizations or entities:
Peregum Black Reference Institute, General Coordination of Memory and Truth on Slavery and the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved People of the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (Brazil) and UN Anti-Racism Coalition (UNARC)

Moderator: Sara Branco, International Advocacy Coordinator at Peregum Black Reference Institute

Panelists:
● Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour Member of UK Parliament for Clapham and Brixton Hill
● Claudia Trindade, Special Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion at the Office of the Attorney General of Brazil (AGU)
● Shari García, International Project Manager at Afro Colombian Women Association (AMUAFROC)
● Gabriella Nuru, cofounder of the Collective Uhuru Valência

Simultaneous translation to English, Portuguese and Spanish will be provided(*)* Those who need translation, please make sure to bring your ownc cellphone and headphones.

Language in which the side event will be held: Portuguese and English 
*simultaneous translation will be provided 

Description:
This side event will examine growing global momentum for reparatory justice following the Ghana-led UN General Assembly resolution recognizing transatlantic enslavement as a crime against humanity and calling for reparations. Grounded in the International Decade for People of African Descent, the AU Decade of Reparations, and the Permanent Forum’s mandate, it will explore pathways such as restitution, institutional reform, and guarantees of non-repetition. Bringing together civil society, policymakers, and experts from Africa and the diaspora, the session aims to generate actionable recommendations, strengthen accountability, and center Afro-descendant voices in global decision-making.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/3VcevoUuQkbbJRjPA

Location:
Conference room at ISHR (International Service for Human Rights), Geneva
Address: Rue de Varembé 1, 5th floor, Geneva, Switzerland

Name and email of the person responsible for organizing the event:
Sara Branco
[email protected]

Title: Fiscal Policy, Law and Restorative Justice: Lessons 25 Years after the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action


Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 14:00 p.m. – 15:00 p.m. (Geneva Time – CET)


Organizers/Sponsors: Instituto Luiz Gama


Language: Brazilian Portuguese, English


Description: The event will discuss lessons accumulated 25 years after the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, focusing on the role of fiscal policies in promoting rights and restorative justice. State strategies for addressing structural inequalities affecting people of African descent will be analyzed, including public financing, economic inclusion, and the valorization of cultural heritage. The debate will also address the role of youth as agents of transformation and the institutional challenges to consolidating effective policies for the promotion of equality and human rights.

Modality: Online

Link to online event: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88994054745


Keynote Speakers: Renato Aparecido Gomes – President, Luiz Gama Institute; Waleska Miguel Baptista – PUCCAMP; Camilo Onoda Caldas - EPD/Universidade São Judas Tadeu (USJT).


Name and email of organizer: Camilo Onoda Caldas – [email protected]
Organizers/Sponsors: Instituto Luiz Gama
Language: Brazilian Portuguese, English

Sponsoring OrganizationBlack Canadian Civil Society Coalition (BCCSC) and Amnesty International Canada

Date, time and time zone:Thu 16 April, 2026 ~2:00 - 3:00 pm~, CET  

Language:  English and French Translation

Location: Room III, building A, Palais des Nations 

BackgroundTwenty-five years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), this side event brings together civil society leaders, academics, policymakers, and UN stakeholders to assess progress, identify accountability gaps, and shape the future of global anti-racism efforts. Discussion will examine what states have implemented, why key commitments remain unfulfilled, and what monitoring mechanisms are needed. With a focus on civil society and Black diaspora perspectives, the event will contribute policy recommendations to the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and explore pathways for international solidarity under the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034).

Objectives
- Assess progress made by states in implementing the DDPA.
- Identify accountability gaps in implementation.
- Highlight the role of civil society in advancing the rights of people of African descent.
- Develop policy recommendations for the UN Permanent Forum.

Panel Speakers
- Dr. June Soomer, UN Human Rights expert and member of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
- Hodan Ahmed, Co-Founder and Chairwoman BCCSC: African diaspora civil society leader
- TBC,  Academic expert on Durban Declaration implementation
- Ketty Nivyanbandi,  Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada: Representative from a national human rights institution
- TBC, Youth or community advocate from the diaspora

Panel Moderator 
Lerato Chondoma, Director BCCSC 

Contact person: Hodan Ahmed
Email: [email protected]

Context
Populations of African descent in different regions of the world continue to be deeply impacted by structural inequalities rooted in the historical legacies of slavery and colonialism, continuously reproduced by structural and systemic racism. Although peoples of African descent are diverse in their histories, identities, and cultural expressions, common challenges persist related to socioeconomic inequality, racial violence, discrimination, and barriers to the full exercise of human rights.

It is estimated that approximately 200 million people of African descent live in the Americas, in addition to millions in other regions of the world. In many countries, ethnic-racial diversity has historically been addressed through discriminatory structures that have produced deep inequalities and asymmetric power relations. In this context, recognizing racism as a global challenge requires strengthening international cooperation initiatives and exchange among countries and communities of the African diaspora.

Promoting the rights of people of African descent also requires recognizing and valuing their histories, cultures, and memories, as well as confronting discriminatory narratives that have historically marginalized these populations. It also implies advancing agendas of reparatory justice in relation to the legacies of slavery, the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans, colonialism, apartheid, and racial violence.

Brazil’s Public Policies for Afro-Descendant Youth
In Brazil, a country that hosts the largest Afro-descendant population outside the African continent, confronting structural racism and promoting racial equality are central priorities of public policy. The Ministry of Racial Equality (MIR) was established by Decree No. 11,346 of January 1, 2023, with the mission of promoting policies aimed at overcoming racial inequalities and confronting racism.

Among its responsibilities is the formulation and coordination of cross-cutting public policies focused on promoting the rights and dignity of the Black population, quilombola communities, traditional peoples and communities of African descent, and the Roma people.

In this context, the Federal Government instituted the Black Youth Alive Plan, the most comprehensive Brazilian public policy specifically aimed at protecting Afro-Descendent youth. The plan was coordinated by the Ministry of Racial Equality and the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, in articulation with 16 other ministries, and was established by Decree No. 11,956 of March 21, 2024.

The Black Youth Alive Plan aims to reduce lethal violence and address the structural vulnerabilities that affect Afro-Descendent youth in Brazil through the implementation of intersectoral public policies. Its formulation resulted from a national participatory process that included consultations with approximately 6,000 Black young people, carried out through Participatory Caravans in all Brazilian states and in the Federal District.

The Plan is structured around 11 strategic axes, brings together 217 governmental actions, establishes 43 specific goals, and has a 12-year implementation horizon. The initiative represents a political commitment by the Brazilian State to protect life, expand opportunities, and promote citizenship for Afro-Descendant youth.

Amefrican Pathways: International Cooperation and Anti-Racist Education
Among the initiatives foreseen within the Black Youth Alive Plan, the Amefrican Pathways Program stands out. This action is aimed at strengthening anti-racist education and promoting international cooperation among countries of the African diaspora.

The program was established by Interministerial Ordinance No. 233 of July 31, 2023, and is implemented through a partnership among:

• Ministry of Racial Equality• Ministry of Education• Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE)
• Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA)
• Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO)

The Amefrican Pathways Program promotes short-term international academic exchanges, focusing on cooperation between Brazil and countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The initiative directly contributes to the implementation of Law No. 10,639/2003, which made the teaching of African and Afro-Brazilian history and culture mandatory in Brazilian schools.

Through academic exchanges and knowledge circulation, the program strengthens international research, education, and public policy networks aimed at confronting racism.

The program carries out four annual editions:

• tree international editions held in partner countries
• one edition held in Brazil

Each international edition brings together 50 Brazilian participants, including Black students from teacher training courses at public higher education institutions and basic education teachers. The edition held in Brazil brings together 13 participants from each partner country, including students, professors, public managers, and representatives of social movements.

To date, the program has carried out eight editions in countries such as Mozambique, Colombia, Cape Verde, Peru, Angola, and the Dominican Republic, in addition to two editions held in Brazil.

Relevance for the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
This side event takes place at a strategic moment for the international racial equality agenda, marked by two important global milestones:

• the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
• the beginning of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034)

In this context, the event seeks to share concrete experiences developed by Brazil to promote the rights of Afro-descendant populations, especially youth. The articulation between the Black Youth Alive Plan and the Amefrican Pathways Program demonstrates how national public policies and international cooperation initiatives can act complementarily in confronting structural racism and promoting opportunities for Afro-descendant youth.

Event Objective
To present and discuss Brazilian initiatives aimed at promoting the rights of Afro-descendant youth, highlighting the Black Youth Alive Plan and the Amefrican Pathways Program as examples of public policies and international cooperation focused on confronting structural racism.

Expected Outcomes
The event seeks to:
• share the Brazilian experience in formulating public policies aimed at Afro-Descendant youth;
• strengthen dialogue among countries of the African diaspora;
• promote the exchange of good practices and innovations in public policies;
• expand international cooperation aimed at confronting racism;
• contribute to advancing the global agenda for racial justice and sustainable development.

Panel #4: The Permanent Forum at five: Mandate, Achievements and Opportunities 

The panel will take place on Thursday 16 April from 15:00 to 18:00.

The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent was established as a consultative mechanism to serve as a platform for dialogue and expert advice on issues affecting people of African descent. Since its operationalization in 2021, the Permanent Forum has become the largest platform within the UN system bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss the human rights concerns of people of African descent.

Over its five years of existence, the Permanent Forum has addressed approximately 20 priority themes across its annual sessions, including reparatory and climate justice, equality and non-discrimination, systemic racism and data collection, health and intergenerational trauma, sustainable development, economic justice, education and culture, the human rights of women and youth of African descent, AI and digital justice, the human rights situation in Haiti, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, and the draft UN Declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. Engaging more than 3,500 participants across its sessions, the Permanent Forum has issued over 140 recommendations, while amplifying the voices of people of African descent, contributing to international norm-setting processes, raising global awareness, advising States and stakeholders on policy, and fostering coordinated international action towards racial justice.

Amid a global context marked by increasing racism against people of African descent and renewed challenges to policies that ensure racial justice, the work of the Permanent Forum is more relevant than ever. In this regard, this panel will assess the Permanent Forum’s contribution to advancing the human rights of people of African descent, examine the uptake of its recommendations, and explore how to further the implementation of its mandate and impact. It will also consider the Permanent Forum’s role with regard to the Second International Decade for People of African Descent and the drafting of a UN Declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent.

PFPAD5 Concept note (English | Français | Español | Português)

📅 DATE: 16 April 2026

⏰ TIME: Doors open 6pm

📍 PLACE: Maison des associations, Geneva

Organized by: Europe Pan-African Forum for People of African Descent (EPAF-PAD) and the AUADS African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region High CouncilCo-organized with: Platform of the Dutch Slavery Past / NARECO (NL) · Tiye International · People of African Descent Belgium Observatory · PARCOE · Stop the Maangamizi Campaign · The African Diaspora Union · The Kingdom of Kush · DurbanPlus 25 Coalition · CRAN · UPAF.CH

CONTEXT
On 25 March 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/80/L.48 — Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity — spearheaded by Ghana on behalf of the 54-member African Group. The Resolution passed by 123 votes in favour, 3 against, and 52 abstentions. It is a significant political and declaratory advance: it names the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity, invokes existing international legal frameworks including the principle that these crimes are not subject to statutory limitations, and creates a formal political record that States can be held to in subsequent advocacy, diplomatic and legal processes.

However, every major European perpetrating State abstained. The effective implementation of this Resolution in Europe requires the full recognition of African Diaspora communities already organizing within the perpetrating States — constitutionally recognized as Africa’s Sixth Region under the AU Constitutive Act (Article 3(q), 2003), present in the communities, grassroots organizations, civil society networks, social movements and scholar-activist spaces, as well as the parliaments, courts and media of the States that bear the greatest obligation for reparatory justice, and uniquely positioned to conduct the organizing, advocacy and conscientization work within the perpetrating States that cannot be done from outside their borders. That role cannot be assumed, substituted or overlooked in any process that follows this Resolution.

This Roundtable convenes African Diaspora organizations and their partners in Europe to move beyond recognition and into strategy — to examine what the Resolution opens, what it leaves unaddressed, and what the organized African Diaspora in Europe must now build and consolidate to ensure that declarations become actions and accountability.

OBJECTIVES
•To assess the impact and implications of Resolution A/80/L.48 from the specific standpoint of African Diaspora communities in Europe, as part of Africa's Sixth Region organizing within the perpetrating States.
•To examine the concrete strategies available to the organized African Diaspora in Europe for the period following the Resolution’s adoption — in parliaments, courts, media, institutions, and community spaces.
•To advance the operationalization of the African Union’s Sixth Region architecture, insisting that every process following this Resolution centres African Diaspora communities as genuine agents and co-architects of reparatory frameworks.
• To strengthen partnerships, align programmes, and build shared capacity among African Diaspora organizations and their allies across Europe for the sustained advocacy ahead.

DIALOGUE TOPICS
1. The importance of the involvement of the African Union Sixth Region Diaspora in Europe — asserting rights already enshrined in AU law, demanding the operationalization of the Sixth Region Diaspora Advisory Board, and ensuring that the African Diaspora in Europe is recognized not as a peripheral constituency but as the vanguard political force already present and organizing within the perpetrating States.
2. Impact of Resolution A/80/L.48: where do we go from here in Europe? — examining what the Resolution’s legal architecture opens, what its gaps and silences require of us, and what the concrete advocacy, legal and political strategies are for African Diaspora organizations in Europe in the period ahead.
3. Strengthening voices and building partnerships for reparatory justice — deepening collaboration across European African Diaspora organizations, aligning on shared frameworks and demands, and building the political infrastructure required to hold perpetrating States accountable.

“Durban 25 years later: challenges for reparations and proposals for action”
o Fecha, hora: Jueves 16 de abril, 18:30 hrs (Hora de Ginebra)

o Organización(es) o entidad(es) patrocinadora(s):

• Asociación Cubana de Naciones Unidas (Cuban United Nations Association)

• Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba

• National Union of Jurists of Cuba, The

(all organizations in consultative status to Ecosoc)

With the co-sponsorship of the NGOs: Afrodescendents Neighborhood Network, Coordinación Afrofeminista, afrolatina y de la diáspora, Centro Memorial Marthin Luther King Jr, & Karibuni

o Idioma(s): Español e inglés

o Descripción del evento paralelo:
La visión de representantes de ONGs, actores sociales y defensores de Derechos Humanos, de América Latina, Europa y EE.UU. (quienes serán los panelistas) sobre la significación histórica y la vigencia del Programa y la Declaración de Durban en la lucha contra el racismo y la discriminación racial en todo el mundo, los avances alcanzados y principalmente los desafíos que aun se enfrentan para la reparación desde el punto de vista social. Se enfatizará en propuestas para la acción, la concertación y la creación de sinergias a nivel internacional. (88 palabras)
o Lugar del evento paralelo: Universidad de Ginebra (local exacto por definir en los próximos días)

o Nombre y dirección de correo electrónico de la persona organizadora principal:  Ms. Norma Goicochea Estenoz, Presidenta de la Asociación Cubana de las Naciones Unidas, [email protected]

Side event title: Birth Justice for Women of African Descent: Listen to Me Film & Panel

Date, time and time zone: Thursday, April 16th at 6:30PM CET

Location: Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID), Chem. Eugène-Rigot 2, 1202

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies: Solitude International Consortium, Aging People in Prison Human Rights Campaign, Geneva Graduate Institute Afrique Students Association and Feminist Collective, Women’s Council, Teaching Artist Institute / TAI-SHEROES

Language: English

Description: Listen to Me is a documentary co-directed by Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris. Listen to Me is the story of three women who stand on the front lines of the maternal health struggle while walking the delicate tightrope of racism and birth in the United States. The film explores the realities of birth, care and community through the lived experiences of Black women.

Listen to Me is a powerful call to break generational silence and center the voices of Black women. Through a lifecourse lens, the film reveals that true maternal health begins with how we protect, listen to and honor Black women and girls long before they ever become pregnant. Listen to Me challenges us to shift the narrative from crisis response to generational care and to reimagine maternal health as a continuum of justice, healing and radical listening.

Lead Organizer: Tomiko Shine, [email protected]

Weblink: www. listentomedoc.com

Date, time and time zone of side event: April 16 6:30-8:30 (GMT)

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies: The Global Circle for Reparations and Healingo

Language(s) in which the side event will be held: English

Description of the side event: The Global Circle for Reparations and Healing (GCRH) will host a side event during the 5th Annual United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) to convene Global African leaders participating in the Forum and advance our collective healing and collective repair. Rooted in the 2025 Accra Summit II theme, Centering Healing Across Global Africa, this event strengthens the Global Circle’s focus on internal repair and building sustainable healing infrastructure across Global Africa.o Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online).

Location: Geneva International Conference Center
Rue de Varembé 17, 1211 Genève, Switzerland

Name and email address of the lead organizer
● Elisa Walker – Partner, FirstRepair [email protected]
● Dr. Joy DeGruy – Co-Convenor, Healing Working Group
● Robin Rue Simmons – Co-Convenor, Partnerships & Movement Building Working Group

Weblink for any further information: The Global Circle for Reparations and Healing (GCRH): Centering Healing Across Global Africa

Details: Thursday 16 April, 6-7PM BST

Sponsoring Organisation: The Africa Centre, London, United Kingdom

Language(s): English

Description of the side event: 
Inspired by the Young Africa Centre’s (YAC) programme Generation 54: Tomorrow’s Trailblazers, this webinar showcases how youth of African descent in the UK’s capital are emerging as active drivers of social change and innovation. Featuring collaborators of YAC, including Bounce Black, Blacklisted Bookclub, Yendy Skin, Voicing Voices, and Congolese Connect, the event will explore how youth-led, community-rooted platforms foster social mobility, leadership, and wealth creation. Attendees will gain insight into scalable, youth-led approaches that address structural barriers in education and civic participation while advancing inclusive development and global solidarity.

Location of side event: Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83516945341

Name and email address of lead organiser: Catherine Nyaumwe Munyarari <[email protected]>

Links: 

https://www.africacentre.org.uk

https://www.africacentre.org.uk/young-africa-centre

https://bounceblack.org

https://www.instagram.com/blacklistedbookclub/

https://yendyskin.com/

https://www.voicingvoices.com

https://www.instagram.com/congoleseroots/

Date : Jeudi 16 avril 2026

Heure : 19h00 (Genève, CEST) | 13h00 (New York, Montréal, Port-au-Prince)

Co-organisateurs : GRAHN-Monde (Groupe de Réflexion et d’Action pour une Haïti Nouvelle), Kolektif Ayisyen AfwoDesandan (KAAD)

Langue : Français (avec possibilité d’échanges en anglais)

Description : Cet événement parallèle explorera les liens entre justice réparatrice, restitution historique et dynamiques contemporaines en Haïti. Il examinera la restitution de la rançon de l’indépendance imposée à Haïti en 1825, ainsi que les effets durables des injustices historiques et des inégalités structurelles. Une attention particulière sera accordée à la jeunesse haïtienne, en Haïti et dans la diaspora, en tant qu’actrice clé de transformation. La discussion contribuera aux réflexions internationales sur la justice réparatrice, la gouvernance inclusive et la promotion des droits des personnes d’ascendance africaine.

Lieu : Université de Genève, UNI MAIL (Salle MS 160), 40 Boulevard du Pont-d’Arve, 1205 Genève, Suisse
Participation en ligne (Zoom) : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81705565772?pwd=SY8Z678ZezcOu6geJUdgSpDDEvpBZ5.1
ID de réunion : 817 0556 5772 Code secret : 503053

Intervenants:
- Dr Jacques Nési
Docteur en science politique, membre du Conseil national haïtien pour la restitution et la réparation
Sujet : Restitution de la rançon de l’indépendance imposée à Haïti en 1825 à travers le financement de projets structurants au profit de la nation haïtienne

-Monique Clesca
Ancienne fonctionnaire des Nations Unies, porte-parole du Kolektif Ayisyen AfwoDesandan (KAAD)
Sujet : Crise haïtienne : injustices historiques, inégalités structurelles et rôle transformateur de la jeunesse dans une perspective de justice réparatrice

Durée : 2 heures
Admission : Libre

Organisateur principal : Dodly Alexandre, [email protected]

Sites web : www.grahn-monde.org, www.grahn-swiss.org, www.kaadayiti.org