The Day for People of African Descent will be celebrated for the first time on 31 August 2021, through this Observance the United Nations aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.

International days reflect the values that society shares. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. Any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust, and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races. The United Nations strongly condemns the continuing violent practices and excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent and condemns structural racism in criminal justice systems around the world. The Organization further acknowledges the Transatlantic Slave Trade as one of the darkest chapters in our human history and upholds human dignity and equality for the victims of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism, in particular people of African descent in the African diaspora.

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.

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Day for People of African Descent