Through the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, UNESCO advances normative and policy approaches to addressing racism and discrimination, creating a space in which international commitments, evidence and policy experience can be examined and translated into institutional responses.

Its role extends beyond convening stakeholders to shaping the substantive agenda, generating and disseminating knowledge, and developing practical frameworks and tools that can inform policy and implementation. Since its inaugural edition in 2021, the Forum has progressively expanded in scope, from rights-based recovery in Mexico and racial equity and justice in São Paulo, to institutional cooperation and global alliances in Barcelona. This evolution is reflected in UNESCO-led initiatives and knowledge products, including the Network of Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Officials, Global Alliance against Racism and Discriminations, Global Outlook against Racism and Discrimination, and Gender-Based Resilience report, which seek to strengthen institutional capacity and support more accountable and effective responses to racism and discrimination.

The 2026 edition, under the theme “From commitment to accountability: change the system, change the future,” will focus on translating commitments into measurable results, with particular attention to accountability mechanisms, inclusive policymaking, systemic inequalities, digital transformations and reparatory justice. It will also give dedicated attention to reparatory justice, connecting historical responsibility with contemporary inequalities and future-oriented solutions, including through the further development of the UNESCO Reparatory Justice Toolkit.

Links:
5th UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination