The UN Human Rights Office and African Union Commission held a regional conference in Dakar on 23-24 October 2019 as part of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

The regional meeting, hosted by the Government of Senegal, followed two previous meetings – one in Brasilia for the Latin America and Caribbean region in 2015, and one in Geneva for the Europe, Central Asia and North America region in 2017. The Regional Meeting for Africa followed a similar format anchored around the Decade’s themes of “recognition, justice and development”, taken from the unique perspective of Africa.

The Dakar meeting aimed to increase overall engagement, including with African governments and youth; to implement the objectives of the International Decade at the national and regional levels; and to enhance linkages between the AU Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Programme of Activities of the International Decade.

Documentation

Statement by the High Commissioner

Information Note for participants (English / Français)

Meeting Programme (English / Français)

Meeting presentations and statements included the following:

Presentation: Harnessing Diaspora Resources, Onyekachi Wambu, Executive Director, AFFO

Statement: Development: Developing the bridges between Africa and the Diaspora Dr. Sabelo Gumedze, Member of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent