Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the global fight against racism and discrimination remains far from over, with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warning that the twin challenges continue to deepen inequalities, undermine human rights and deny millions of people their fundamental freedoms.
Guterres, who spoke at a high-level event marking the 25th anniversary of the landmark declaration, called for renewed global commitment and concrete measures to dismantle systemic discrimination and build inclusive societies where equality and human dignity are guaranteed for all.
The event, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the declaration was adopted and the challenges that continue to undermine the pursuit of racial justice.
The UN chief stressed that the struggle against racism and discrimination had become even more urgent than it was when the declaration was adopted 25 years ago, warning that racism continued to poison societies and perpetuate inequalities across the world.
He maintained that addressing the problem required more than expressions of solidarity, urging governments, businesses, technology companies and individuals to translate their commitments into tangible actions.
“The antidote to this poison is unity and tangible action,” Guterres declared.
He called on governments to strengthen and effectively implement anti-discrimination and equality laws, alongside the institutions responsible for enforcing them.
“They must also spare no effort to dismantle systemic discrimination, and invest in inclusive and equal societies,” he said.
The Secretary-General also urged businesses to create workplaces where everyone could contribute without discrimination, while calling on technology companies to confront bias in artificial intelligence systems.
His warning reflects growing concerns about how discrimination can become embedded in institutions, economic systems and emerging technologies, potentially reinforcing existing inequalities if left unaddressed.
Beyond legal reforms, Guterres called for concrete measures to deliver reparatory justice, urging the international community to confront historical injustices and their enduring consequences.
He encouraged individuals and institutions to stand against injustice and work towards societies where racism and discrimination have no place.
Durban Declaration: A Road Map for Equality
Adopted in 2001, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action remains a significant international framework for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The accompanying Programme of Action outlines practical measures that governments can implement to promote human rights, address structural inequalities and expand opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
These measures include increased investment in healthcare, education, housing, electricity, access to safe drinking water and environmental protection, as well as policies that promote equal opportunities in employment.
The framework also emphasises equitable access to education and new technologies, alongside measures to protect women and children from discrimination.
Another key component is the inclusion of the history and contributions of Africans and people of African descent in educational curricula, an effort aimed at promoting historical awareness, cultural recognition and a more inclusive understanding of global history.
The declaration recognises that combating racism requires addressing not only individual acts of prejudice but also the institutional and structural conditions that sustain inequality.
Its 25th anniversary has therefore renewed calls for governments to strengthen their commitment to implementing its provisions and ensuring that the principles of equality and human dignity translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Africa Renews Call for Reparatory Justice
For African countries, the anniversary carries particular significance, given the enduring consequences of centuries of enslavement, colonial domination, apartheid and genocides.
Speaking on behalf of the African Group at the event, representatives reaffirmed the continuing relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a road map for advancing equality, inclusion and dignity.
The group described the anniversary as a timely reminder that the commitment and consensus reached in Durban must be preserved, while calling for renewed political will and sustained international cooperation to make equality, justice and human dignity a reality for all.
It also called for reparatory justice, historical accountability, cultural restitution and remedial measures to address the continuing effects of historical injustices.
According to the group, these injustices have created structural inequalities that continue to shape economic development, governance and access to opportunities for Africans and people of African descent.
The African Group argued that addressing these enduring consequences requires more than symbolic recognition, stressing the need for practical measures capable of redressing historical wrongs and promoting equitable development.
Such measures, it said, should include historical acknowledgement and apologies, guarantees of non-repetition, equal economic partnerships, and educational and scientific cooperation.
The call reflects the growing emphasis on linking historical accountability with contemporary efforts to address economic disparities, institutional exclusion and unequal access to opportunities.
From Commitment to Action
As the international community marks 25 years of the Durban Declaration, the central challenge remains translating its principles into tangible outcomes.
The declaration provides a framework for addressing discrimination through legal reforms, social investment, inclusive education, economic opportunities and international cooperation.
However, the renewed appeals from Guterres and the African Group underscore the need for sustained political commitment and effective implementation to ensure that the fight against racism goes beyond declarations and delivers meaningful change.
For millions of people affected by racial discrimination, the promise of equality remains tied to access to justice, economic opportunity, education and the protection of fundamental rights.
The anniversary therefore serves as both a reflection on the global commitment made a quarter of a century ago and a renewed call for governments and institutions to confront racism in all its forms.
As Guterres emphasised, unity and tangible action remain essential to building a world where discrimination no longer determines people’s opportunities, dignity or fundamental freedoms.
