Intervention for consultations between H.E. Domingos Fernandes, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the update to the programme of activities for the implementation of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent
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Excellency,

Allow me to thank you, on behalf of the Caribbean Community, for providing us with this opportunity to discuss our Group’s priorities in relation to the update to the programme of activities for the implementation of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.

As countries with a significant number of our citizens being people of African descent, we understand very intimately the challenges that continue to hinder their lives. CARICOM remains a strong champion for true recognition, development and justice for people of African descent and we see the Second International Decade as an important moment to foster greater action and progress on these objectives.

Even as we welcome the proclamation of the Second International Decade, we recognize that the First decade did not achieve its objectives. Systemic discrimination remains widespread. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance continue to be perpetuated against people of African descent globally. Many of the legacies of the period of the transatlantic slave trade and chattel enslavement of people of African descent continue to manifest in their lives, including through persistent poverty, inequitable land tenure and ownership, psychological and generational trauma, lack of access to quality education and housing, high incidence of non-communicable diseases and other health maladies.

In the second international decade, there is need for greater focus on not only setting the objectives that we wish to see achieved but in deciding on the most practical ways of achieving them. It is clear, in the report of the Secretary General on the final assessment of progress made in the First International Decade, that implementation of the programme of activities has been fragmented and inadequate. Though there have been some developments in recognition at the national level and some positive developments at the regional and international levels, progress on implementation has been generally slow and has lacked political will and action.

There is therefore a need to increase advocacy for and attention to issues affecting people of African descent globally and for the necessary support to be provided in this regard.

Since the establishment of the first International Decade:

CARICOM launched its 10 Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, which is currently under review, and which provides a comprehensive framework for elaborating a regional approach for to the demand for reparations,
The African Union declared 2025 as the year of "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations" and;
The General Assembly adopted the resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

These developments along with other sustained efforts and calls for reparatory justice at the local, national, regional and international levels, have provided greater impetus to the reparatory justice movement for people of African descent. CARICOM believes that meaningful progress on reparatory justice must be a core focus for the second international decade. We support the creation of relevant mechanisms to facilitate open and meaningful dialogue on reparatory justice for people of African descent, in the multilateral space, with a view to setting a clear pathway for remedying the historical injustices of slavery, the transatlantic slave trade and their legacies. A Summit on reparatory justice convened under the auspices of the United Nations is one example of such an initiative that could be considered.

CARICOM believes that emerging issues such as the increase in technology-facilitated racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including through the use of artificial intelligence must also be included in the updated programme of activities.

There is need for a critical assessment of the legal framework and institutional practices that persist in devaluing and perpetuating negative stereotyping about the culture, heritage and traditions of people of African descent as well as assessing whether policies, practices, regulations and operations of international organizations, donor agencies and financial institutions negatively impact States and communities largely populated by people of African descent.

CARICOM looks forward to constructively engaging throughout this important process with a view to further strengthening the framework that has been established in the current programme of activities. We will submit our substantive language proposals in writing to meet the deadline you have set for 29th May.

We trust in your able leadership to guide us to a positive outcome and one that delivers for people of African descent around the world.

Thank you, facilitator.