An evaluation of progress made since the 2001 Durban Conference

The Durban Review Conference, which took place between 20 and 24 April 2009 in Geneva, evaluated progress towards the goals set by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. The Review Conference served as a catalyst to fulfilling the promises of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action agreed to at the Durban 2001 World Conference through reinvigorated actions, initiatives and practical solutions.

The achievements of the 2009 Durban Review Conference were listed in its Outcome Document, which stated the Conference had:

• Reviewed progress and assessment of implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including the assessment of contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
• Assessed the effectiveness of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms and other United Nations mechanisms dealing with the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in order to enhance them;
• Promoted the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and proper consideration of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;
• Identified and shared the best practices achieved at the national, regional and international levels in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
• Identified further concrete measures and initiatives at all levels for combating and eliminating all manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in order to foster the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to address challenges and impediments thereto, including in the light of developments since its adoption in 2001.