As part of the awareness raising campaign for the International Decade for People of African Descent (A/RES/69/16), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is organizing two-day regional meetings in different parts of the world. The fifth regional meeting, for the Asia Pacific region, will take place on 15-16 January 2024 in hybrid format, with possibly of remote participation (location TBC).

The regional meetings provide an opportunity to address the three sub-themes of the Decade: Recognition, Justice and Development.

The objectives of this regional meeting will be to:

• Raise awareness about the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent in the Asia Pacific region;
• Strengthen national, regional and international cooperation and facilitating the exchange of good practices;
• Promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the historical and contemporary contributions of people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region.

Participants

Member States, United Nations specialized agencies and bodies, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, equality bodies and civil society representatives, particularly people of African descent, experts and academics from the region are invited to participate in the regional meeting. Other Member States of the United Nations are invited to attend as observers.

Application for financial assistance

Deadline extended until 27 November 2023

OHCHR will provide financial assistance to a selected number of civil society representatives to participate in the meeting, including a pre-paid return flight ticket in economy class and daily subsistence allowance, based on the selection criteria for the meeting. To apply for financial support, civil society applicants are requested to send in a single e-mail to decadepadgeneva@ohchr.org the documents below no later than 27 November 2023 (midnight):

• Application form - completed and signed
• Personal information sheet
• Banking form - filled and signed
• Copy of banking details or IBAN (please indicate if you DO NOT have a bank account)
• Copy of passport

Call for written inputs

Call for written inputs: The human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region

In preparation to the Regional Meeting, all interested stakeholders, including national human rights institutions, equality bodies and civil society representatives, particularly people of African descent from the region, as well as experts and academics are invited to provide information on the human rights situation of Africans and people of African descent living in the Asia Pacific region. Such information, and any queries, should be sent electronically to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at: ohchr-decadepadgeneva@un.org by 10 January 2024.

Registration to participate in the regional meeting

Kindly note that ALL participants must register in advance to attend the regional meeting.

Documentation

• Concept note