The African continent is hosting the UN Forum for People of African Descent for the first time.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, affirmed the Union’s commitment to advancing the agenda of justice and historical reform for the benefit of Africans and the African diaspora, during his speech at the opening session of the fifth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, held in Geneva.

Strengthening international efforts to eliminate racism

The Commission President stressed that this session, which coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, represents a strategic turning point for strengthening international action to eliminate racism and achieve historical justice.

He explained that the African Union, during the February 2026 summit, placed the theme of the current decade under the title: “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations,” reflecting the priority of the issue of reparation justice in continental and international work.

The Commissioner praised the pivotal role of civil society organizations as guardians of memory and driving forces against racism, stressing the importance of their institutional involvement in policymaking and enhancing their presence in multilateral platforms.

He stressed that the African diaspora is a strategic partner in achieving Agenda 2063, pointing to the Commission’s initiatives to link the diaspora’s skills and investments with development projects on the continent, and to enhance its participation in international decision-making.

The role of youth from the diaspora

He also highlighted the important role of young people from the diaspora as key agents of change, especially in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, and digital governance.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterated that restorative justice is a central priority, noting ongoing efforts to develop a unified African position based on legal and institutional foundations, including issues of restitution of cultural property, addressing the effects of historical injustice, and promoting economic justice.

Ambassador Amr El-Gowaily, Director of the Directorate of African Diaspora and Citizen Organizations at the African Union Commission, stated that the speech of the Chairperson of the Commission included the announcement that the next sixth session of the Forum will be hosted in 2027 for the first time on the African continent at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa.