In accordance with General Assembly resolution 69/16 entitled “Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of AfricanDescent’’, the President of the General Assembly will convene the Midterm Review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 22 July 2021, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

The event will comprise an opening segment, three interactive panel discussions and a closing segment. The interactive panels will provide a platform for speakers to take stock of the steps taken to date and the way forward in the implementation of activities of the Decade, with a focus on the themes of the Decade – recognition, justice, and development.

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Programme

10:00 -10:30 am
Opening Segment

• H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly
• H.E. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary-General
• H.E. Michelle Bachelet, High-Commissioner for Human Rights
• H.E. Epsy Campbell Barr, Vice-President of Costa Rica
• Mr. AY Young, Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals

10:30 -11:45 am
Interactive Panel I: Recognition

In this moderated discussion, panelists will be invited to share their lessons learned from implementing: the right to equality and non-discrimination; education on equality and awareness-raising; information-gathering; participation and inclusion. In addition, discussants will be asked to share best practices regarding promoting respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies.

Moderator: Ms. Victoria Ibiwoye, Youth Representative, SDG Education2030 Steering Committee

Panellists:

• Dr. Michael McEachrane, Co-Founder, European Network of People of African Descent
• Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Author and Activist
• Ms. Dominique Day, Chairperson, Working Group of Experts of People of African Descent
• Ms. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO

11:45 am-1:00 pm
Interactive Panel II: Justice

This interactive dialogue will review progress made in the International Decade for People of African Descent thus far, with regard to access to justice and special measures, and consider necessary steps for progress for the remainder of the Decade.

Moderator: Ms. Dorothy Davis, Congressional Black Caucus Representative to ECOSOC

Panellists:

• Ms. Verene A. Shepherd, Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• Ms. Opal Tometi, Human Rights Advocate & Social Entrepreneur, Co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter
• Ms. Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development, OHCHR
• Dr. Ahmed Reid, Associate Professor of Caribbean History at Bronx Community College of the City University of New York

3:00-4:30 pm
Interactive Panel III: Development

Panelists will be invited to assess progress regarding the right to development and measures against poverty; education; employment; health; and housing in the dual context of the Decade of Action to Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moderator:  Prof. Bonny Ibhawoh, Member, UN Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

Panellists:

• Ms. Diene Keita, Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund
• Ms. Nanjala Nyabola, Non-Resident Fellow NYU Center on International Cooperation
• Ms. Ana Barreto, Program Director, Afro-Resistance

Key Documents