Minister Anielle Franco represents Brazil at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco will arrive in the US next Monday (29) for a series of meetings to enhance the racial equality agenda at the international level and to seek investments in public policies to fight racism and promote racial equality.

The government's presence at this Forum is crucial. We're taking with us strategies that are aligned with Brazilian black organizations and movements to extend the International Decade for People of African Descent for another ten years, as well as submitting our candidacy for a permanent seat at the next Forum's election and for Brazil to host next year's edition."

Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality

In New York, the minister will represent Brazil at the second UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, which will take place from May 30 to June 2. Anielle will be at the opening table on Tuesday (30). Brazil's Ministry of Racial Equality heads the Brazilian delegation of organizations and movements that defend the rights of black people attending the event.

The UN General Assembly created the Permanent Forum as part of the International Decade for People of African Descent and comprises ten experts from different countries.

Brazil is the only country represented at the Forum by a Ministry focusing only on policies for the black population. One of the Forum's main topics has been the promotion, protection, and respect for the rights of people of African descent; political, economic, and social inclusion; and assessment of good practices, challenges, opportunities, and initiatives referring to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which deals with the struggle against all types of racial discrimination.

"This week, we saw international cases of racism against Brazilians, such as Vini Jr's, and how Brazil responded promptly and in an unprecedented way. The government's presence at this Forum is crucial. We'll present strategies aligned with Brazilian black organizations and movements to extend the International Decade for People of African Descent for another ten years to reach more effective results. We're also submitting our candidacy for a permanent seat at the next Forum's election and for Brazil to host next year's edition," said Anielle.

BILATERAL MEETINGS - The minister will also hold bilateral meetings with representatives from Colombia, Mexico, and Canada. Within the scope of the UN, Anielle will meet with Alice Nderitu, Undersecretary for Genocide Prevention; with Epsy Campbell, the first black woman to become vice-president of Costa Rica and current president of the UN Permanent Forum; and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN.

POLICIES - Anielle Franco will also participate in other events in New York. The minister will present the Ministry's national and international policies at the "Justice in Brazil" seminar at Columbia University, alongside journalist Thiago Amparo, and discuss political mechanisms to strengthen racial equality at the event "Strategies to face global racism."

WASHINGTON - Anielle will arrive in Washington, DC, on June 1, where she will discuss funding agendas for racial equality policies with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The goal is to raise investments for actions by the Brazilian government for black people in fields such as education, food security, health, and sport.

The minister will also visit Howard University, one of the US's leading black institutions, to discuss education, research, and data production partnerships. Last week, the president of Howard University, Dr. Wayne Frederick, visited the Dendê Valley in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, to strengthen partnerships.