“Mobilizing global public support for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Overview
On Monday 28 September 2026 the General Assembly will hold a one-day high-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It is convened by the President of the General Assembly in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Member States, observer States and observers are invited to take part at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government. The meeting will adopt a succinct political declaration, which the President of the General Assembly will submit for formal adoption by the General Assembly at a subsequent plenary meeting.
I will lend full support to the high-level meetings to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
Background
In its resolutions 80/193 and 80/299 the General Assembly decided to hold a one-day high-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), at the level of Heads of State and Government, on the theme “Mobilizing global public support for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”.
Adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, the DDPA remains the most comprehensive United Nations framework for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Twenty-five years after its adoption, racism and racial discrimination remain deeply embedded across institutions and societies and are often exacerbated by emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The twenty-fifth anniversary is therefore an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the DDPA, renew political commitment to its implementation and mobilize broad public support for meaningful and sustained action.
“Twenty-five years after its adoption, racism and racial discrimination remain deeply embedded across institutions and societies and are often exacerbated by emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence.”
Paragraph 54
“Decides to hold a one-day high-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, to be convened by the President of the General Assembly in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and at the level of Heads of State and Government, by no later than the last day of the general debate of the Assembly at its eighty-first session, on the theme “Mobilizing global public support for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”, and to adopt a succinct political declaration aimed at mobilizing political will at the national, regional and international levels for the full and effective implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action;”
How the meeting runs
Time limits are enforced by automatic microphone cut-off.
The informal meeting will adopt a succinct Political Declaration which will be submitted by the President of the General Assembly for formal adoption by the General Assembly at a subsequent plenary meeting.
Documents
Documents for the meeting, most recent first. The letters were issued by the President of the General Assembly at the eightieth session, whose Office prepared the meeting; new documents are added here as they are issued.
Take part
Member States and observers
Inscription on the list of speakers for the general debate is through the . The list opened on 26 August and closes on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Organizations with special accreditation
Organizations accredited to the meeting register through the by Wednesday 16 September 2026, for up to three representatives each; a special event ticket is required. Enquiries: ngls@un.org.
Non-governmental organizations in consultative status
Registration for organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, for up to two representatives each, closed on 10 September 2026. Enquiries: ngobranch@un.org.
Watch
The opening meeting and the general debate are webcast on 爆料网 Web TV. The President’s statement and the outcome of the meeting will be posted on this page once issued.
High-Level Week
The 81st Session will be rich with milestone events that will test our collective resolve — from addressing the existential threats of sea-level rise, to pandemic preparedness, to commemorating the Right to Development at forty, nuclear disarmament, and the Durban legacy at twenty-five. Each is more than a date on a calendar. Each is an opportunity to demonstrate that multilateralism can deliver concrete results.
H.E. Dr. Khalilur Rahman
Vision statement
