What is the UN doing to combat racism and racial discrimination?

Article 1(3) of the UN Charter states that one of the purposes of the United Nations is:

"To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion"

Throughout its history, the United Nations has worked for human rights and for the eradication of racism and racial discrimination around the world.

Following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was the first of the major international agreements on human rights adopted by the UN General Assembly: it was adopted in 1965 and entered into force in 1969. Its implementation is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

• Drafting history from the Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Status of treaty from the UN Treaty Collection
• Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

In addition to the ongoing work of CERD, Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council also monitor this topic, including in particular:

• Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
• Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
• Special Rapporteur on minority issues
• History of Special Procedures on Racial Discrimination from the Human Rights Special Procedures research guide

Over time, the UN has also held conferences and high level meetings dedicated to the topic:

• 1978: World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Geneva, 14-25 August 1978, report: A/CONF.92/40 (79.XIV.2)
• 1983: World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Geneva, 1-12 Aug. 1983, report: A/CONF.119/26 (83.XIV.4)
• 2001: 3rd World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, 31 Aug.-8 Sept. 2001, report: A/CONF.189/12
• 2009: Durban Review Conference, held in Geneva, 20-24 April 2009, report: A/CONF.211/8
• 2011: 10th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, held in New York, 22 September 2011. High-level meeting. Political declaration: A/RES/66/3
• 2021: Durban Declaration and Programme of Action: 20th Anniversary of the Adoption, held in New York, 22 September 2021. High-level meeting. Political declaration: A/RES/76/1

In addition to conferences, certain observances have been named, including:

• Days
  • 21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  • 25 March: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • 18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day
  • 23 August: UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
  • 31 August: International Day for People of African Descent

• Weeks: resolution establishing week
  • 21-27 March: Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination A/RES/34/24

• Years: resolution establishing year
  • 1971: International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: A/RES/2544 (XXIV)
  • 1978/79: International Anti-Apartheid Year: A/RES/32/105 B
  • 2001: International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance: A/RES/53/132
  • 2004: International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition: A/RES/57/195
  • 2011: International Year for People of African Descent: A/RES/64/169

• Decades: resolution establishing decade
  • 1973-1982: 1st Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: A/RES/3057 (XXVIII)
  • 1983-1993: 2nd Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: A/RES/38/14
  • 1993-2003: 3rd Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination: A/RES/48/91
  • 2015-2024: International Decade for People of African Descent: A/RES/68/237
  • 2025-2034: Proclamation of the 2nd International Decade for People of African Descent A/RES/79/193

Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are complex topics that intersect with many other issues on the UN agenda. Additional related information can be found in the following sources:

• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights webpages: Racism and Minorities
• UN Indigenous Peoples website
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations. Fight Racism
• UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities The Network brings together a range of UN Departments, Agencies, Programmes and Funds, which have identified focal points for this purpose.
• Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
• United Nations. Outreach Programme on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations
• United Nations. Outreach Programme on the Holocaust
• United Nations. Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery
• Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement, was established in 2021 for an initial period of three years. In July 2024, during its 56th session, the Human Rights Council extended its mandate for an additional period of three years.
• Search results in the Digital Library for resolutions about racism
• Meetings coverage and Press releases on Racism.
• Research guides:
  • UN Documents: Development and Decolonization
  • UN Library & Archives Geneva: People of African Descent
  • UN Library & Archives Geneva: UN Resources - Racial Equality and Justice - Research Guides at United Nations Library & Archives Genev

UN System and UN Secretariat

• JIU/NOTE/2022/1/Rev.1 : Review of measures and mechanisms for addressing racism and racial discrimination in United Nations System organizations : managing for achieving organizational effectiveness : note of the Joint Inspection Unit ; prepared by Sukai Prom-Jackson
• Anti-Racism Office: Established in June 2022 as the Anti-Racism Team (ART), it became the Anti-Racism Office (ARO) in December 2023 following the General Assembly’s Resolution 78/253. It oversees, coordinates, and monitors the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan Report of the Secretary-General’s Task Force on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All in the United Nations Secretariat
• A/78/384: Report of the Secretary-General : Revised budget estimates ... related to addressing racism and promoting dignity for all in the United Nations Secretariat
• UN Geneva Working Group Against Racism

• Special Adviser for Addressing Racism in Workplace (2023): Secretary-General Appoints Mojankunyane Gumbi of South Africa Special Adviser for Addressing Racism in Workplace