As part of the awareness raising campaign for the International Decade for People of African Descent (A/RES/69/16), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is organizing two-day regional meetings in different parts of the world. The fifth regional meeting, for the Asia Pacific region, will take place on 15-16 January 2024 at the Centre International des Conférence Genève, in Geneva, Switzerland, in hybrid format.

The regional meetings provide an opportunity to address the three sub-themes of the Decade: Recognition, Justice and Development.

The objectives of this regional meeting will be to:

• Raise awareness about the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent in the Asia Pacific region;
• Strengthen national, regional and international cooperation and facilitating the exchange of good practices;
• Promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the historical and contemporary contributions of people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region.

Participants

Member States, United Nations specialized agencies and bodies, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, equality bodies and civil society representatives, particularly people of African descent, experts and academics from the region are invited to participate in the regional meeting. Other Member States of the United Nations are invited to attend as observers.

Statements

Opening session

• High Commissioner for Human Rights
• H.E. Seongmee Yoon
• H.E. Ambasssador Yong Chanthalangsy
• June Soomer
• Ayor Makur Chuot

Panel discussion 1 – Recognition

• Chinsung Chung
• Barbara G. Reynolds
• Sara Lou Arriola
• Rosalind Croucher
• Megumi Komori
• Linh Anh Moreau
• Mimmie Claudine Watts

Panel discussion 2 – Justice

• Bina D’Costa
• Oussouby Sacko
• Anthony Unor
• Mario Gomez
• Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya
• (Waskam) Emelda Davis
• Antje Missbach

Panel discussion 3 – Development

• Ashwini K.P
• Eunice Kwalteng
• Phillip Binondo
• Dahlia Ducreay and ppt
• Shine Choi
• Bonny Ibhawoh

Closing session

• H.E. Ms. Kadra Ahmed Hassan,Rapporteur
• Abdoul Aziz Thioye

Digital recordings

Opening session

Panel 1 – RECOGNITION: Building strong frameworks to promote equality, non-discrimination and social harmony in the Asia-Pacific region

Panel 2 – JUSTICE: Understanding manifestations of racism and racial discrimination in Asia and the Pacific region

Panel 3 – DEVELOPMENT – Addressing challenges in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Closing session

Application for financial assistance

Deadline extended until 27 November 2023

OHCHR will provide financial assistance to a selected number of civil society representatives to participate in the meeting, including a pre-paid return flight ticket in economy class and daily subsistence allowance, based on the selection criteria for the meeting. To apply for financial support, civil society applicants are requested to send in a single e-mail to [email protected] the documents below no later than 27 November 2023 (midnight):

• Application form - completed and signed
• Personal information sheet
• Banking form - filled and signed
• Copy of banking details or IBAN (please indicate if you DO NOT have a bank account)
• Copy of passport

Call for written inputs

Call for written inputs: The human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region

In preparation to the Regional Meeting, all interested stakeholders, including national human rights institutions, equality bodies and civil society representatives, particularly people of African descent from the region, as well as experts and academics are invited to provide information on the human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent living in the Asia Pacific region. Such information, and any queries, should be sent electronically to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at: [email protected] by 10 January 2024.

Registration to participate in the regional meeting

Kindly note that ALL participants must register in advance to attend the regional meeting.

The deadline for registration is Friday 12 January (COB).

Documentation

• Concept note
• Programme of work