Official Statement on the Occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent
31 Aug 2026
Today, the International Diplomatic Union joins the international community in observing the International Day for People of African Descent, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the immense and diverse contributions of people of African descent to every field of human endeavour, and to reaffirm the international community’s resolve to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all their forms.
Across centuries and continents, people of African descent have shaped the course of human civilization — enriching the worlds of science, medicine, philosophy, literature, music, the arts, sport, business, diplomacy, and public service, and standing at the forefront of humanity’s great struggles for freedom, justice, and equality. The African diaspora, numbering in the hundreds of millions across the globe, represents one of the most profound sources of cultural vitality and human achievement in our shared history. This observance honours that legacy, and the promise it carries for generations to come.
Yet recognition alone is not enough. Many communities of African descent continue to confront the enduring legacies of enslavement, colonialism, and systemic exclusion — manifested today in racism, racial discrimination, unequal access to education, employment, healthcare, and justice, and barriers to full participation in public life. These injustices are incompatible with the dignity and equality proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and their persistence diminishes not only those who endure them, but the societies that permit them.
The International Diplomatic Union emphasizes that the elimination of racism and racial discrimination is a binding commitment of the international community, grounded in the Charter of the United Nations, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Fulfilling this commitment demands more than condemnation of injustice — it requires education that confronts history honestly, intercultural dialogue that builds genuine understanding, inclusive policies that dismantle structural barriers, and the full, equal, and meaningful participation of people of African descent in the decisions that shape their societies.
Consistent with its mission and its founding values of human rights, intercultural dialogue, and cooperation among peoples, the International Diplomatic Union reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that advance racial equality and social justice, celebrating the cultural heritage of the African diaspora, promoting inclusive education and capacity-building, and fostering international partnerships that build societies founded on dignity, diversity, and mutual respect.
On this occasion, the International Diplomatic Union calls upon governments, international organizations, educational institutions, the private sector, civil society, and all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to eradicate racism and racial discrimination in every form, to address the structural inequalities that continue to deny opportunity, and to ensure that people of African descent everywhere enjoy the full measure of equality, justice, and human dignity that is their inherent right.
Dr. Faisal Al-Mutairi
President
International Diplomatic Union
Brussels
