On behalf of 78 African countries, China and African countries jointly called for the fight against racism and racial discrimination at the United Nations

United Nations, 30 Sep (Xinhua) -- Speaking at the general debate of the Third Committee of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly held on 30 September, Nigeria, speaking on behalf of 78 countries on the joint initiative of China and African countries, expressed grave concern about racial discrimination, police violence and social inequality, and called for accelerated implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

It was stated that this year marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. On September 22, the United Nations General Assembly held a high-level commemorative meeting attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN President Shahid and more than 60 heads of state, government and ministers. Regrettably, a small number of Western countries, such as the United States, openly resisted and absented from the meeting.

The statement expressed the view that, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the international community should continue to make the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance a priority at the global level. These phenomena persist throughout the world, and countless people continue to be victimized. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some political and public figures have posted misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and racist remarks, leading to a surge in discrimination and hate crimes against Africans and people of African descent, as well as Asians and people of Asian descent, particularly women, children and the elderly.

Statements called on the international community to make the right choice. States and all stakeholders should seize the opportunity to take pragmatic action to accelerate the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The international community should make real changes to avoid the continued atrocities of racism and racial discrimination against future generations and to ensure that no one was left behind. (End)