International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

High-level Commemorative Event: 60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Afternoon) ICERCat60 . On December 21, 1965, through Resolution 2106 (XX) the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against racism. This Convention was the first of the UN core international human rights treaties and remains the foundation of efforts to eliminate racial discrimination worldwide. ICERD commits countries to take immediate and effective action to end all forms of racial discrimination, as well as to eradicate racist ideas and practices. The goal is to promote understanding between races and build a global community free from racial segregation and discrimination. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), established by ICERD, was the first treaty body created to monitor...

10:00 – 10:25 | Opening Ceremony – Tribute to Victims and Advocates. Solemn tribute to the victims of racial discrimination, racism, racial segregation and apartheid, as well as to all those who have fought and continue to fight racial discrimination. This segment will serve both as a commemoration of the suffering endured and as a recognition of the courage, resilience and dedication of individuals, communities, and movements that have advanced the struggle for equality and dignity. It will also reaffirm the international community’s collective responsibility to honour their legacy by redoubling efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations.   10:25 – 10:35 | Short Break

  10:35 – 11:20 | Opening Remarks “60 Years of ICERD : From Legal Foundation to Action for Change”. 10:35 – 10:45 | Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (tbc). 10:45 – 10:55 | Mr. Michal Balcerzak, Chairperson, CERD. 10:55 – 11:15 | Oral statements by representatives of regional groups (3 minutes per speaker) Register via ohchr-cerd@un.org by 20 November 2025 at 15h00.  11:15 – 11:25 | Final remarks. 11:25 – 11:30 | Short Break.

  This segment will reflect on progress achieved and challenges at the international, regional, national and local levels in the fight against racial discrimination. It will highlight the central role played by international and regional human rights mechanisms, including CERD , as well as the contributions of local governments, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and grassroots movements in advancing the objectives of the Convention. The segment will provide a space to exchange experiences and to identify good and promising practices in implementing the Convention and addressing persistent and emerging challenges, including but not limited to instances of State disengagement from human rights obligations and mechanisms, the resurgence of racist hate speech and xenophobic discourse, the impact of new digital technologies, the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change on communities most exposed to racial discrimination.   11:3...

  This segment will place particular focus on the lived realities of various persons and communities – including but not limited to people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, people of Asian descent, Roma, minorities, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees – who continue to face persistent and intersecting forms of discrimination based on race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, language and other grounds. It will also consider how the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism, coupled with the growing contestation of measures aimed at advancing racial equality — such as special measures, reparations, diversity policies, and education against racism and intolerance — challenge the effective realization of the Convention ’s objectives. Furthermore, the segment will provide a platform to exchange perspectives on approaches and strategies to overcome both long-standing and emerging barriers to equality and dignity for ...

  16:25 – 17:40 | Panel 3: “ ICERD at 60 – A Living Instrument: Building on Progress, Shaping the Future” This discussion segment will provide an opportunity to reflect on how lessons drawn from past achievements and shortcomings can inform responses to persistent and emerging challenges in the fight against racial discrimination. It will underscore the character of ICERD as a living instrument, whose continued relevance is reaffirmed through the evolving work of the CERD, including its early warning and urgent action procedure, Inter-state and individual communications procedure, as well as its General Recommendations. Looking ahead, the discussion will serve as a platform to articulate a forward-looking vision aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Convention, its Committee and its procedures, particularly in the context of resource constraints and instances of State disengagement from human rights obligations and mechanisms.  16:25 – 17:05 | Introduction of the...

    A  High-level Event  to  commemorate the 60th Anniversary  of the adoption of the  International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)  will be held during its 116th session oF the  Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)  from (17 November to 5 December 2025).

  During its 116th session (17 November to 5 December 2025), the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will hold a High-level Event to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) . Over the past six decades since the adoption of ICERD by General Assembly resolution 2106 (XX) , progress has been made in the fight against racial discrimination at international, regional, national and local levels. While Member States committed themselves “to adopt all necessary measures for speedily eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations ”, progress has not unfolded at the pace or to the extent envisioned, and many hard-won gains remain at risk of reversal. Today, achievements are increasingly jeopardized by disregard for international human rights law, including ICERD , and by attacks on international human rights institutions, which weaken...

  In this extremely challenging context, the 60th anniversary of ICERD offers A timely opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen global commitment to eliminate racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance through the full and effective implementation of the Convention. It also provides space to enhance constructive engagement with the UN human rights framework, including CERD and other mechanisms dedicated to combating racial discrimination . The High-level event will underscore CERD’s pivotal role in advancing the implementation of the Convention and shaping the international human rights framework through its monitoring procedures, jurisprudence and guidance to States parties. It will also recognize the vital contributions of regional organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society, grassroots organizations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders In promoting the objectives of the Convention, and in combating racial discrimination ove...

High-level Commemorative Event: 60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Morning) On December 21, 1965, through Resolution 2106 (XX) the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against racism. This Convention was the first of the UN core international human rights treaties and remains the foundation of efforts to eliminate racial discrimination worldwide. ICERD commits countries to take immediate and effective action to end all forms of racial discrimination, as well as to eradicate racist ideas and practices. The goal is to promote understanding between races and build a global community free from racial segregation and discrimination. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), established by ICERD, was the first treaty body created to monitor countries...