Director-General's remarks at the event to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 
Friday, 21 March 2025 at 12.00 p.m.
Room III, Palais des Nations 

 

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you today to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. I would like to sincerely thank the UNOG Working Group Against Racism and the Geneva Alliance Against Racism for co-organizing this event on such an important topic. I also wish to thank Ambassador Nkosi and other panelists for joining this discussion.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The adoption of the Convention, in 1965, was a breakthrough in the global effort to eradicate racism. Today, this international day not only calls for us to reflect on our collective journey towards equality and justice, but it also requires us to acknowledge the ongoing challenges that so many people continue to face; and to pursue our efforts towards fighting racial discrimination.

The spirit of reconstruction and hope that followed the end of World War II led to the establishment of the United Nations. This institution was and remains grounded in the belief in fundamental human rights, human dignity, and equal rights of men and women.

The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 marked a very important milestone. It reaffirmed that all human beings are born free and equal.

In Geneva, the UN family is deeply committed to eliminating racism in all its forms, and we have taken concrete steps to make sure that we walk the talk.

In 2022, in my capacity as Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, I established an entity-level Working Group dedicated to addressing racism in the workplace. To advance the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Strategic Action Plan on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All within the UN Secretariat.

A year later, together with 22 leaders, heads and representatives of Geneva-based UN entities and international organizations, we established the Geneva Alliance against Racism. This coalition allows us to share best practices on addressing racism, and coordinate activities and initiatives across our community. We recently introduced scorecards to better track our progress in implementing our commitments and together, we signed a joint declaration reaffirming our collective commitment to combating racism and racial discrimination.

At UN Geneva, the Working Group on Addressing Racism in the Workplace continues to raise awareness of the negative impact of racism on both staff and the organization. We organize activities that also contribute to enhancing cultural awareness, a key step for us in moving forward.

In collaboration with UNOG Human Resources Management Service, the group is also working to eliminate potential discrimination in recruitment based on ethnicity, nationality, or language.

Efforts are also undertaken to increase transparency and trust in our hiring practices, including by conducting data analysis on geographic diversity among recruited staff.

Members of both the Working Group at UN Geneva and the Geneva Alliance Against Racism have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of this issue and develop the tools necessary to turn our pledges into actions.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated colleagues who have and continue to support me and the Alliance in this endeavor – Ms. Marie Diur, founder of the Geneva Alliance, and Ms. Betsy Ntongai, current Chair of the Alliance and the Working Group, as well as the focal points and members of both.

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,

As we celebrate this anniversary, one thing is clear: too many people continue to suffer from racism and racial discrimination around the world.

It is more urgent than ever to stand up for equality and justice, and to uphold the principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a time to reaffirm our commitment to equality for all.

Combatting racism and intolerance is a collective endeavor. Everyone’s efforts are essential, both within the United Nations and around the world.

I count on all of you to make a difference. Together, we can build a world where equality and justice prevail.

Thank you.