The United Nations mission in Somalia recently commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, reaffirming its commitment to zero tolerance for racial discrimination within the UN system.
To mark the day, the UN SHARE Team, the Anti-racism task force of the UN in Somalia, organised several activities to commemorate the 2025 Anti-Racism Awareness week, including an online town hall meeting, launch of an awareness booth, screening of a movie on the negative effects of racism.
UN personnel also participated in an awareness caravan, in which conversations on racism and anti-racism were held at several locations within the UN compound, according to a statement seen by APA on Thursday. Finally, many UN Somalia staff members also signed a Pledge Wall, where they committed to taking action against racism.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1965, the day is observed annually on 21 March, since 1979, through a series of activities and events to show solidarity with people fighting against racism and racial discrimination.
“Let me begin by underscoring that there is absolutely zero tolerance for racism and racial discrimination in the UN in Somalia,” said the Acting UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, at the town hall co-hosted with United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Director of Mission Support and Officer in Charge, Ms. Qurat ul-Ain Sadozai.
Given the theme of the Anti-racism Week, “Let’s talk About Racism!”, the two officials reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to combating racism and promoting an inclusive and equitable environment.
“For those of you who experience or witness incidents of racial discrimination, I wish to remind you that there are available channels to report racism without fear of retaliation,” Mr. Swan said, adding that, “racial discrimination is prohibited conduct in the UN, with serious consequences.’’
The top UN official emphasised the need for sustained efforts to raise awareness about existing reporting channels, aiming to combat racism and build trust and confidence in the UN’s internal justice mechanisms.
WN/as/APA