Four young people of African descent are seated outdoors in conversation.
Young voices are driving change—championing justice, shaping solutions, and building a future where the rights of people of African descent are fully realized.
Photo:Adobe Stock/Daniel Ernst

We must continue our fight to right these wrongs by acknowledging the historical facts and enduring repercussions of colonialism and slavery, in particular the transatlantic slave trade. [...] The second International Decade for People of African Descent is a further opportunity to drive meaningful progress."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Reparatory justice, youth leadership, and decade alignment

The 2026 International Day for People of African Descent is being observed under the theme “Expanding the Human Rights of People of African Descent” within the framework of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034). Building on the achievements of the first International Decade, the observance reaffirms the commitment to Recognition, Justice and Development while accelerating action to address persistent inequalities, systemic racism, and the lasting impacts of racialized chattel enslavement and colonialism. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the United Nations, Member States, civil society, and people of African descent to advance the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

The 2026 observance seeks to expand the human rights of people of African descent through stronger legal, policy, and institutional measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. It also underscores the importance of ensuring the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights, while advancing equal access to education, employment, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities. These priorities reflect the objectives of the Second International Decade and build on efforts to increase visibility, awareness, and respect for people of African descent and their contributions to society.

This year's discussions examine reparatory justice through the return of cultural artefacts, the human rights situation of youth of African descent, and the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as an opportunity to reflect on turning existing human rights commitments into concrete action. Guided by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, these discussions will reinforce international efforts to address the enduring consequences of racism, racial discrimination, the transatlantic slave trade, racialized chattel slavery, and colonialism through sustained cooperation and concrete action.

Second International Decade for People of African Descent

Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034)

The Second International Decade was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to build on the achievements of the International Decade while accelerating efforts to address persistent inequalities, systemic racism, and the lasting impacts of enslavement and colonialism.

Advancing recognition, justice and development

The launch of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent reflects both the progress achieved during the first Decade and the recognition that significant challenges remain. The year 2024 marked the conclusion of the International Decade, during which progress was made at the legislative, policy, and institutional levels. At the same time, people of African descent continue to experience intersectional and compounded forms of racial discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion. The continuing lack of recognition remains a significant barrier to the full and effective enjoyment of human rights. These ongoing challenges demonstrate the need for continued international attention and action to advance the rights and well-being of people of African descent.rights of people of African descent.

From progress to action

Building on this progress, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent provides a renewed framework for collaboration among the United Nations, Member States, civil society, and people of African descent. Global discussions on racial justice, together with initiatives to strengthen legal, policy, and institutional measures, have reinforced efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. Governments have also taken steps to improve the statistical visibility of people of African descent to help address historical injustices and disparities in access to healthcare, social services, and opportunities. However, further action, political will, and sustained investment remain essential to eliminate inequalities and ensure the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights. Through continued cooperation and concrete action, the Second International Decade provides a framework for translating existing commitments into concrete measures that advance Recognition, Justice and Development and expand the human rights of people of African descent worldwide.

Related websites

Key documents

UN Human Rights

A woman dressed in white, wearing a large straw hat, and raising one arm while holding a cloth.

By deciding to open citizenship applications to all people of African descent around the world, Benin became the latest in a growing list of African countries to formerly recognize historical links with the African diaspora.

A group of South Africans behind fence separating them from white community.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, colour or national origin. The UN has worked for human rights and for the eradication of racism and racial discrimination since its creation in 1945.

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.