Ministry of Racial Equality leads Brazilian Government actions at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Brazil’s Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, is at the 3rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland, with three main missions: to advance the debates towards the proclamation of a second International Decade for People of African Descent for the 2025-2034 period; to promote the member-states adhesion to the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 18), which promotes racial and ethnic equality; and to integrate the group that is designing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of People of African Descent, endowed with the legal status of an International Treaty, to be signed by the countries at the end of the Forum.

The participation of the Ministry of Racial Equality (Ministério da Igualdade Racial - MIR) in two out of three editions of the Forum underscores the Brazilian government's dedication to combating inequalities and advancing social justice. This commitment is evident through its voluntary adoption of SDG 18 and advocacy efforts to include the African Union and the issues of racial equality and poverty alleviation in the G20 agenda. Additionally, through bilateral engagements, the government seeks to forge agreements and partnerships to enhance public policies for the Afro-descendant population worldwide.

“Proclaiming the second International Decade for People of African Descent will enable us to continue implementing and deepening measures to ensure that Afro-descendants have access to economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights at the national, regional, and international levels,” highlighted Minister Anielle Franco.  

The leadership and active involvement of the Ministry of Racial Equality in the Forum will facilitate the international development of agendas and dialogues addressing the fight against racism and racial discrimination; bolstering efforts to strengthen memory, promote social justice, advance equality and democracy; and ensure racial equality through the reconstruction and sustainable social and economic development of Brazil.

During the third session of the Forum, there will be four thematic discussion panels:

• Reparations, Sustainable Development & Economic Justice
• Education: Overcoming Systemic Racism and Historic Harm
• Culture and Recognition
• The Second International Decade for People of African Descent: Expectations and Challenges

 As part of the Forum’s agenda, the MIR delegation will hold bilateral meetings and encounters to articulate partnerships to strengthen the Ministry’s policies and support other member-states in their corresponding agendas.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), the Permanent Forum aims primarily to contribute to the political, economic, and social inclusion of people of African descent and the promotion of the rights of the Afro-descendant population worldwide. Among its functions, the Permanent Forum also identifies and analyzes good practices, challenges, opportunities, and initiatives to promote the human rights of people of African descent.

The MIR delegation comprises the Secretary of Policies and Affirmative Actions, Combating, and Overcoming of Racism (Separ), Márcia Lima; the Director of Policies for Combating and Overcoming Racism, Yuri Silva; the Head of the International Advisory, Paula Gomes; and the Head of the Minister's Special Advisory, Josiara Barbosa.

Minister Anielle Franco’s agenda in Geneva:

April 15: 
- Opening of the “Atlântico Vermelho” Exhibition
- Cocktail in celebration of the opening of the “Atlântico Vermelho” Exhibition 
 
April 16:
- Opening of the 3rd session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent 
- Bilateral Meetings
- Arrival at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Brazil in Geneva
- Meeting with Desirée Cormier Smith, US Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice (TBC)
 
April 17 
- Coordination meetings