Director-General's remarks at the Special Event on tackling racial discrimination to mark Nelson Mandela International Day

Special event on tackling racial discrimination to mark 

Nelson Mandela International Day 

Thursday, 25 July 2024, 15:00 – 17:00

Room XXVI, Palais des Nations 

Excellencies, 

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this special event in the framework of Nelson Mandela International Day to discuss racial discrimination and how it could be tackled. I would like to sincerely thank the co-hosts - UN Senior Officials of African Descent Group (UNSAG), UNAIDS, UN Anti-Racism Office and the Permanent Mission of South Africa - for organizing this event on such an important topic.

This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day – marked on 18 July - focus on combatting poverty and inequality. It is in our power to advance progress on these issues in the world that is torn by so many global challenges. I join the UN Secretary-General’s call to honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy by turning our hands towards building a better world for all.

In our combat to eradicate racial discrimination, the United Nations system must walk the talk. The UN Secretary-General is very determined to advance progress, and his Special Advisor on Addressing Racism in the Workplace is closely working with all parts of the UN system to achieve tangible results.

We know that racial discrimination is alive and well at the United Nations, and surveys indicate that a great number of staff have experienced various forms of racial discrimination at the workplace. That is why I established a UN Geneva Working Group on Addressing Racism in the Workplace, and appointed a focal point for diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Together with staff, the group is now working to locally implement the Secretary-General’s strategic action plan to prevent and address racism in the workplace.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The realization of the 2030 Agenda and its core promise of leaving no one behind requires everyone’s involvement and commitment. Only through a collective effort, in Geneva and globally, can we create a world free from bias and discrimination so that all members of our societies could prosper and achieve their full potential.

I wish you a fruitful discussion.

Thank you.