The International Day of People of African Descent is observed on August 31 to honor the contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to raise awareness about the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.
Recognizing Their Contribution to Society’s Development and Well-Being
The proposal to establish this observance was submitted by Costa Rica and co-sponsored by 52 member states for approval by the United Nations General Assembly.
This declaration is issued in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Black Peoples of the World, which designated August 31 as a day to celebrate the contributions of people of African descent and diasporas around the world.
The aim is to reaffirm freedom and equal rights, recognizing their potential to contribute to the development and well-being of society.
Restorative Justice and Youth Leadership
This year, the International Day of People of African Descent is celebrated under the theme “Expanding the Human Rights of People of African Descent” as part of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034). Building on the achievements of the first International Decade, this celebration reaffirms the commitment to recognition, justice, and development, while accelerating efforts to address persistent inequalities, systemic racism, and the lasting impacts of racialized slavery and colonialism.
According to the United Nations, the 2026 observance aims to expand the human rights of people of African descent through stronger legal, political, and institutional measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. It also underscores the importance of ensuring the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights, while promoting equal access to education, employment, health care, housing, and economic opportunities. These priorities reflect the objectives of the Second International Decade and are based on efforts to increase visibility, awareness, and respect for people of African descent and their contributions to society.
This year’s focus includes restorative justice through the restitution of cultural property, the human rights situation of youth of African descent, and the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action as an opportunity to reflect on how to translate existing human rights commitments into concrete actions. In line with the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, these discussions will strengthen international efforts to address the lingering consequences of racism, racial discrimination, the transatlantic slave trade, racialized slavery, and colonialism through sustained cooperation and concrete measures.
Promoting Recognition, Justice, and Development
The launch of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent highlights the progress made during the first Decade as well as the significant challenges that remain. The year 2024 marked the conclusion of the International Decade, during which progress was made at the legislative, policy, and institutional levels.
However, people of African descent continue to suffer from intersectional and aggravated forms of racial discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion. The persistent lack of recognition continues to constitute an obstacle to the full and effective enjoyment of human rights. These ongoing challenges underscore the need for the international community to continue to pay attention and take action to promote the rights and well-being of people of African descent.
From Progress to Action
Building on these advances, this Second Decade offers a renewed framework for collaboration among the United Nations, Member States, civil society, and people of African descent. Global discussions on racial justice, along with initiatives to strengthen legal, policy, and institutional measures, have bolstered efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. Governments have also taken steps to improve the statistical visibility of people of African descent, with the aim of helping to redress historical injustices and inequalities in access to health care, social services, and opportunities.
However, further action, political will, and sustained investment remain essential to eliminate inequalities and ensure the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights. Through ongoing cooperation and concrete actions, the Second International Decade provides a framework for translating existing commitments into concrete measures that promote recognition, justice, and development, and advance the human rights of people of African descent worldwide.
