A/RES/78/234 GA

United Nations A/RES/78/234 General Assembly Distr.: General 28 December 2023 23-26238 (E) 080124 *2326238* Seventy-eighth session Agenda item 69 (b) Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2023 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/78/478, para. 33)] 78/234. A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action The General Assembly, Recalling all its previous resolutions on the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference,1 in particular its resolutions 66/144 of 19 December 2011, 67/155 of 20 December 2012, 76/226 of 24 December 2021 and 77/205 of 15 December 2022, as well as its resolutions 75/314 of 2 August 2021 and 76/1 of 22 September 2021, and in this regard underlining the imperative need for their full and effective implementation, Recalling also the suffering of the victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and the need to honour their memory, Calling upon States to honour the memory of victims of the historical injustices of slavery, the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and apartheid, Stressing that the outcome of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance has the same status as the outcomes of all the major United Nations conferences, summits and special sessions in the human rights and social fields, and that the Durban Declaration and Programme __________________ 1 See A/CONF.189/12 and A/CONF.189/12/Corr.1, chap. I. A/RES/78/234 A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 23-26238 2/11 of Action remains a solid basis and the only instructive outcome of the World Conference, which prescribes comprehensive measures for combating all the scourges of racism and adequate remedies for victims, and noting with concern the lack of effective implementation thereof, Expressing deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief 2 and at instances of intolerance, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on religion or belief, inter alia, the increasing number of related acts of violence, and recalling that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action calls upon States, in opposing all forms of racism, to recognize the need to counter antisemitism, anti-Arabism and Islamophobia worldwide, Alarmed at the global rise in hate speech, constituting incitement to racial discrimination, hostility and violence, stressing the importance of addressing it, in accordance with international law, and in this regard welcoming the observance of 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech 3 and noting the issuance of the United Nations Guidance Note on Addressing and Countering COVID-19- related Hate Speech on 11 May 2020, Underlining the need to promote tolerance, inclusion and respect for diversity and the need to seek common ground among and within civilizations in order to address common challenges to humanity that threaten shared values, universal human rights and the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, through cooperation, partnership and inclusion, Alarmed at the spread in many parts of the world of various racist extremist movements based on ideologies that seek to promote nationalist, right-wing agendas and racial superiority, and stressing that these practices fuel racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Deploring the ongoing and resurgent scourges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in many regions of the world, often targeting migrants and refugees, as well as people of African descent, expressing concern that some political leaders and parties have supported such an environment, and in this context expressing its support for migrants and refugees in the context of the severe discrimination that they may face, Reaffirming the necessity of eliminating racial discrimination against migrants, including migrant workers, in relation to issues such as employment, social services, including education and health, and access to justice, and that their treatment must be in accordance with international human rights instruments and free from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Deploring the recent incidents of excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers against peaceful demonstrators defending the rights of Africans and of people of African descent, and recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 44/20 of 17 July 2020, 4 47/21 of 13 July 2021, 5 48/18 of 11 October 2021,6 51/32 of 7 October 20227 and 54/27 of 12 October 2023,8 __________________ 2 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 18 (see resolution 217 A (III)). 3 Resolution 75/309. 4 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-fifth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/75/53), chap. V, sect. A. 5 Ibid., Seventy-sixth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/76/53), chap. VII, sect. A. 6 Ibid., Supplement No. 53A (A/76/53/Add.1), chap. IV, sect. A. 7 Ibid., Seventy-seventh Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/77/53/Add.1), chap. III, sect. A. 8 Ibid., Seventy-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/78/53/Add.1), chap. III, sect. A. A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A/RES/78/234 3/11 23-26238 Stressing that law enforcement officials, in the performance of their duties, shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons, Recognizing the multiple and aggravated forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which may exacerbate individuals’ experiences with police violence, Recognizing also that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as apartheid, have deep negative impacts on the enjoyment of human rights, and therefore require a united and comprehensive response from States, Expressing concern at the disruption to economies and societies caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and its negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights around the world, disproportionately affecting certain individuals, including those facing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which the pandemic has highlighted and exposed, including underlying deep and long-standing structural inequalities and fundamental problems in various areas of social, economic, civil and political life, and its exacerbation of existing inequalities, and recalling that systemic and structural racism and racial discrimination further exacerbate inequality in access to health care and treatment, leading to racial disparities in health outcomes and a higher rate of mortality and morbidity among individuals and groups facing racial discrimination, Noting with concern the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the existing inequalities within our societies and regretting that, in that context, persons belonging to racial and ethnic minorities and to other groups, including Asians and people of Asian descent, especially women and girls, have been victims of racist violence, threats of violence, discrimination and stigmatization, Recalling the three Decades for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination previously declared by the General Assembly, and regretting that the Programmes of Action for those Decades were not fully implemented and that their objectives have yet to be attained, Noting that 10 December 2023 will mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 9 and that 25 June 2023 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,10 and stressing in this regard the importance of fully integrating the matter of combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance into these commemorations and their implementation, Stressing in this respect the need to also address negative stereotypes, stigmatization and the assigning of identity based on race as essential in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Reiterating that 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, and that 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, Underlining the intensity, magnitude and organized nature of slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and the associated historical injustices, as well as the untold suffering caused by colonialism and apartheid, and that Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent and __________________ 9 Resolution 217 A (III). 10 A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III. A/RES/78/234 A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 23-26238 4/11 Indigenous Peoples continue to be victims, and acknowledging that the ongoing effects must be remedied, Acknowledging the efforts and initiatives undertaken by States to prohibit racial discrimination and racial segregation and to engender the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights, Emphasizing that, despite efforts in this regard, millions of human beings continue to be victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including their contemporary forms and manifestations, some of which manifest in violent forms, Welcoming the efforts made by civil society in support of the follow-up mechanisms in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Recalling the appointment of the five independent eminent experts by the Secretary-General on 16 June 2003, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 56/266 of 27 March 2002, with the mandate to follow up on the implementation of the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to make appropriate recommendations thereon, Underlining the primacy of the political will, international cooperation and adequate funding at the national, regional and international levels needed to address all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance for the successful implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Recalling its resolution 2142 (XXI) of 26 October 1966, in which it proclaimed 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Recalling also its resolution 62/122 of 17 December 2007, in which it designated 25 March as the annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Recalling further, in the above context, the erection of the permanent memorial for the victims of slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, the Ark of Return, based on the theme “Acknowledge the tragedy, consider the legacy, lest we forget”, Welcoming the call upon all the former colonial Powers for reparations, consistent with paragraphs 157 and 158 of the Durban Programme of Action, to redress the historical injustices of slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, Recognizing and affirming that the global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and all their abhorrent and contemporary forms and manifestations is a matter of priority for the international community, I International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1. Reaffirms the paramount importance of universal adherence to and the full and effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 11 adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 2106 A (XX) of 21 December 1965, in addressing the scourges of racism and racial discrimination; __________________ 11 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 660, No. 9464. A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A/RES/78/234 5/11 23-26238 2. Calls upon States that have not done so to accede to and/or ratify the Convention, and States parties to consider making the declaration under article 14 of the Convention; 3. Calls upon all States that have not yet done so, and consistent with paragraph 75 of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, to consider withdrawing their reservations to article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; 4. Underlines, in the above context, that the provisions of the Convention do not respond effectively to contemporary manifestations of racial discrimination, in particular in relation to xenophobia and related intolerance, which is recognized as the rationale behind the convening of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001; 5. Takes note of the acknowledgement by the Human Rights Council and its subsidiary structures of the existence of both procedural and substantive gaps in the Convention, which must be filled as a matter of urgency, necessity and priority; 6. Expresses its concern at the lack of progress in the elaboration of complementary standards to the Convention to fill existing gaps through the development of new normative standards aimed at combating all forms of contemporary and resurgent scourges of racism; 7. Recalls Human Rights Council resolution 34/36 of 24 March 2017,12 in which the Council requested the Chair-Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to ensure the commencement of the negotiations on the draft additional protocol to the Convention criminalizing acts of a racist and xenophobic nature during the tenth session of the Ad Hoc Committee, and takes note of the report of the thirteenth session of the Committee in this regard; 8. Requests the Chair-Rapporteur of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards to present a progress report to the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session; II International Decade for People of African Descent 9. Recalls the proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, as contained in its resolution 68/237 of 23 December 2013, and the celebratory launch of the Decade on 10 December 2014; 10. Also recalls the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, as adopted in its resolution 69/16 of 18 November 2014; 11. Welcomes the establishment of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, through its resolution 75/314 of 2 August 2021, which determines its mandate and composition, as a consultative mechanism for people of African descent and other relevant stakeholders and as a platform for improving the safety and quality of life and livelihoods of people of African descent, as well as an advisory body to the Human Rights Council; __________________ 12 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-second Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/72/53), chap. IV, sect. A. A/RES/78/234 A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 23-26238 6/11 12. Also welcomes the convening of the first two sessions of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the large participation of civil society and people of African descent from around the world; 13. Notes with concern the limited resources available in support of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent; 14. Requests the Secretary-General to enhance the operational and programmatic support provided to the Permanent Forum secretariat, in particular to fully support the mandate of the Permanent Forum, including in the logistical organization of the annual session; 15. Requests the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to devote at least half of its annual session to the elaboration of a draft United Nations declaration on the promotion and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent, and also requests the Intergovernmental Working Group to present a status report on the elaboration of the draft declaration to be considered by the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session;13 16. Invites the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, in accordance with their respective mandates, to contribute to the elaboration of a draft United Nations declaration on the promotion and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent; 17. Recalls the draft programme of action for the International Decade for People of African Descent as an instructive framework in which all the initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people of African descent are anchored and which, if adopted, would contribute to the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent; 18. Also recalls that the Secretary-General will convene a final assessment of the Decade, to take place within the framework of a high-level international event, marking the closure of the Decade in 2024; 19. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly, before the end of its eightieth session, on practical steps to be taken to make a Second International Decade effective; 20. Requests the President of the General Assembly to take into consideration the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, drafted by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and adopted in resolution 69/16, and the theme of the International Decade for People of African Descent, “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”, with a view to proclaiming the decade starting in 2025 the Second International Decade for People of African Descent; 21. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent14 and on a global call for concrete action for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action;15 __________________ 13 See resolution 69/16. 14 A/78/317. 15 A/78/197. A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A/RES/78/234 7/11 23-26238 22. Acknowledges and profoundly regrets the untold suffering and evils inflicted on millions of men and women and children as a result of slavery, the slave trade, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, genocide and past tragedies, noting that some States have taken the initiative to apologize and have paid reparations, where appropriate, for grave and massive violations committed, further calls upon those that have not yet expressed remorse or presented apologies to find some way to contribute to the restoration of the dignity of victims, and calls upon all the relevant States that have not already done so to dispense reparatory justice, contributing to the development and recognition of the dignity of the affected States and their people; 23. Takes note of the report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, 16 invites the Human Rights Council, through the Chair of the Working Group, to continue to submit a report on the work of the Working Group to the General Assembly, and in this regard invites the Chair of the Working Group to engage in an interactive dialogue with the Assembly under the item entitled “Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” at its seventy-ninth session; 24. Takes note with appreciation of the proclamation of 31 August as the International Day for People of African Descent, and invites all Member States, all organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, the private sector and academia, as well as civil society, to observe the International Day for People of African Descent in an appropriate manner, in accordance with its resolution 75/170 of 16 December 2020; 25. Stresses that everyone, including people and communities of African descent, should be able to participate in an inclusive manner and guide the design and implementation of processes that contribute to halting, reversing and repairing the lasting consequences and ongoing manifestations of systemic racism, and notably acknowledges the important role that young people have played and should continue to play in these processes; 26. Encourages States to examine the extent and impact of systemic racism and to adopt effective legal, policy and institutional measures that address racism beyond a summation of individualized acts, recommends that progress be measured according to indicators grounded in impact rather than intent, and further calls for the recognition of the impact of racial discrimination and inequality experienced by children and youth of African descent in all areas of life, including the administration of justice, law enforcement, education, health, family life and development; 17 27. Welcomes the establishment of an international independent expert mechanism, comprising three experts with law enforcement and human rights expertise, aimed at furthering transformative change for racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement globally, especially where relating to the legacies of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade in enslaved Africans, to investigate the responses of Governments to peaceful anti-racism protests and all violations of international human rights law and to contribute to accountability and redress for victims; 28. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat to continue awareness-raising efforts and public information campaigns in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent through the use of social networks __________________ 16 A/78/277. 17 See A/77/294. A/RES/78/234 A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 23-26238 8/11 and digital media, including the wide distribution of user-friendly, concise and accessible versions of material in this regard; III Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 29. Requests the Secretary-General and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the resources necessary for the effective fulfilment of the mandates of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards and the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and in this regard to ensure the participation of experts in each session of those follow-up mechanisms in order to provide advice on the specific issues under discussion and assist the mechanisms in their deliberations and the adoption of action-oriented recommendations in relation to the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action; 30. Recalls Human Rights Council resolutions 43/1 and 47/21, and also recalls the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers and the annex thereto, entitled “Four-point Agenda towards Transformative Change for Racial Justice and Equality”, submitted pursuant to resolution 43/1;18 31. Stresses the importance of consolidating all efforts aimed at combating racism under a single anti-racial discrimination unit, including on the issues of racial equality and justice; IV Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 32. Welcomes the report of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on its eighth session,19 and in this regard notes that the session was held from 8 to 12 August 2022; 33. Recalls its resolution 77/205 and the recommendations contained therein with regard to the Group of Independent Eminent Experts, and further agrees to limit the tenure of the Eminent Experts to four years, which may be renewed once, and that the current Experts will continue to serve until the appointment of new Experts is finalized; 34. Also recalls the request to the Secretary-General to appoint the five Eminent Experts, one from each region, from among candidates proposed by the President of the Human Rights Council, after consultation with the regional groups, in line with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 20 and paragraph 13 of resolution 56/266, by the end of 2023; 35. Requests the five regional groups to nominate a candidate for appointment to the Group of Independent Eminent Experts in a timely fashion; __________________ 18 A/HRC/47/53. 19 See A/78/535. 20 A/CONF.189/12, para. 191 (b). A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A/RES/78/234 9/11 23-26238 V Trust fund for the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination 36. Recalls the establishment by the Secretary-General, in 1973, of the trust fund for the Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination as a funding mechanism that has been utilized for the implementation of the activities of the three Decades for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination declared by the General Assembly, and in this regard appreciates the fact that the trust fund has also been utilized for the subsequent programmes and operational activities transcending the three Decades; 37. Requests the Secretary-General to include, in his report on the implementation of the present resolution to the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session, a section outlining the progress in the implementation of paragraph 18 of its resolution 68/151 of 18 December 2013 regarding the revitalization of the trust fund for the purpose of ensuring the successful implementation of the activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent and enhancing the effectiveness of the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; 38. Strongly appeals to all Governments, intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations and individuals, as well as other donors in a position to do so, to contribute generously to the trust fund, and to that end requests the Secretary-General to continue to undertake appropriate contacts and initiatives to encourage contributions; VI Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 39. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,21 and encourages the Special Rapporteur, within her mandate, to continue to focus on the issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and incitement to hatred, which impede peaceful coexistence and harmony within societies, and to submit reports in this regard to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly; 40. Reiterates its previous requests to the Special Rapporteur to consider examining national models of mechanisms that measure racial equality and their value added in the eradication of racial discrimination and to report on such challenges, successes and best practices in her next report, and expresses concern at the lack of progress in this regard; VII Commemoration of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 41. Takes note with appreciation of the adoption of a political declaration aimed at mobilizing political will at the national, regional and international levels for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and its follow-up processes during a one day high-level meeting of the General Assembly, on 22 September 2021, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the __________________ 21 A/78/302. A/RES/78/234 A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action 23-26238 10/11 adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, under the theme “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent”; 22 42. Emphasizes the critical importance of increasing public support for the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the participation of civil society and other relevant stakeholders in its realization, and requests the United Nations system to strengthen its awareness-raising campaigns to increase the visibility of the message of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, its follow-up mechanisms and the work of the United Nations in the fight against racism; 23 43. Invites Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations, civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to organize and support various high-visibility initiatives, aimed at effectively increasing awareness at all levels, to commemorate the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; 44. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a programme of outreach, with the involvement of Member States and United Nations funds and programmes, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to appropriately commemorate the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; 45. Calls upon Member States and the United Nations system to intensify efforts to widely distribute copies of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and encourages efforts to ensure its translation and wide dissemination; 46. Expresses its appreciation for the continuing work of the mechanisms mandated to follow up on the World Conference and the Durban Review Conference; VIII Follow-up and implementation activities 47. Acknowledges the guidance and leadership role of the Human Rights Council, and encourages it to continue to oversee the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome documents of the Durban Review Conferences, including the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; 48. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide the Human Rights Council with all the support necessary for it to achieve its objectives in this regard; 49. Welcomes the further consideration by the Human Rights Council, at its fifty-fourth session, of the question of a multi-year programme of activities to provide for the renewed and strengthened outreach activities needed to inform and mobilize the global public in support of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to strengthen awareness of the contribution that they have made in the struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in consultation with Member States, national human rights institutions, relevant civil society organizations and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes; 50. Also welcomes the efforts undertaken by the Human Rights Council, through its Advisory Committee, in preparing a study on appropriate ways and means of assessing the situation regarding racial equality, while identifying possible gaps and overlaps; __________________ 22 Political declaration entitled “United against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” (resolution 76/1). 23 See Human Rights Council resolution 51/32; see also A/77/233. A global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action A/RES/78/234 11/11 23-26238 51. Further welcomes the commemorative event held on 21 March 2023 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; 52. Takes note with appreciation of the commemorative plenary meeting of the General Assembly held on 27 March 2023 to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, on the theme “Fighting slavery’s legacy of racism through transformative education”; 53. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution; 54. Requests the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Human Rights Council to continue to convene annual commemorative meetings of the Assembly and the Council during the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with the appropriate focus and themes, and in this context encourages the participation of eminent personalities active in the struggle against racial discrimination, Member States and civil society organizations in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Assembly and the Council, respectively; 55. Decides to remain seized of this priority matter at its seventy-ninth session under the item entitled “Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”. 50th (resumed) plenary meeting 22 December 2023

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