Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Item 1: Opening of the session
Item 2: Appointment of Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur of the Permanent Forum
Item 3: Adoption of the agenda and programme of work

THE APPROPRIATE USE OF "SLAVERY" AND "THE SLAVE TRADE" THROUGHOUT THE UNITED NATIONS ANTI-RACISM MECHANISMS REGARDING REPARATIONS
DATE: Monday, April 14th, 2025.                                                      TIME: 1:00pm to - 3:00 pm EST
LOCATION: Suite #120 - 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017
REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/953G7ST7GJhP7oEm6

EVENT DESCRIPTION
The consistent use of ‘slavery’ and the ‘slave trade’ as the legal and conceptually appropriate terms for the harms that reparations address is paramount. Over two decades ago, the United Nations (UN) Durban Declaration and Program of Action recognized slavery and the slave trade, particularly the transatlantic slave trade, as crimes against humanity. It also acknowledged that Africans and people of African descent were victims of these acts and continue to suffer from their consequences.

Reparations for slavery and the slave trade are a central focus of the Second International Decade for Peoples of African Descent (2025 - 2034). The UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent has prioritised reparations, while regional entities, such as the Programme of Action for CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan, provide a structured reparations framework. The African Union’s proposed theme for 2025, “Justice for Africans and people of African Descent through Reparations,” further underscores commitment to this issue.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the cornerstone of the international legal framework to prevent and combat racial discrimination. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is preparing a General Recommendation on Reparations for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, reinforcing ICERD’s role in ensuring full and effective implementation of reparatory justice.

In parallel, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the UN submitted a proposal to include the slave trade as a provision in the Draft articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity. Additionally, Sierra Leone proposed to amend the Rome Statute, of the International Criminal Court, to include the slave trade as a crime against humanity, as well as slavery and the slave trade as war crimes.

While actors within the UN Anti-racism Mechanisms and regional bodies share a commitment to reparations, differences persist in the terminology they use. This side event seeks to clarify why consistent terminology will be important in all advocacy efforts.

From April 14 – 17, 2025, the fourth session of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent (PFPAD) will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York. As part of the session, a side event on April 14 will feature a panel of experts discussing the appropriate terminology for referring to slavery and the slave trade in the context of reparations advocacy. This side event is intended for PFPAD participants, CERD members and their constituencies, as well as representatives from UN Member States, regional entities, civil society, academia, practitioners and other experts engaged in the issue of reparations.

PROPOSED PROGRAM

OPENING REMARKS
• George Shadrack Kamanda, First Secretary, Legal Affairs, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations (tbc)

MODERATION AND CLOSING
• S. Priya Morley, Director, Racial Justice Initiative, Bernstein Institute for Human Rights, NYU Law

SPEAKERS
• Gay McDougall, Vice-Chair, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
• Patricia Viseur Sellers, former Special Advisor for Slavery Crimes to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and Visiting Fellow, Kellogg College, University of Oxford

DISCUSSANTS
• June Soomer, Chairperson, Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
• Verene A. Shepherd, Vice-Chair, CARICOM Reparations Commission and CERD, Director of the Institute for Reparations Research, The University of the West Indies
• Barbara G. Reynolds, Member, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent

Q&A

Drum Dialogue
for 
Equality and Inclusion
 
Date: April 14th, 2025
Location: South Visitors Plaza, UN Secretariat, New York
 
 
Background
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) is tasked with promoting a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies. In this context, in partnership with OHCHR the Department of Global Communication and the Africa Center, UNFPA will host a Drum Dialogue at the fourth session of the PFPAD.

The fourth session of the permanent forum on people of African descent provides a confluence of opportunities to deepen the discourse and renew hope for realizing the rights of People of African Descent. The Drum Dialogue will highlight the first year of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent under the theme “Recognition, Justice and Development” and the renewed commitment from member states and stakeholders at all levels to continue to strengthen their efforts to end inequalities and discrimination. The Second International Decade is also an opportunity to take concrete actions to confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, and secure the full human rights and freedoms of people of African descent worldwide. This event will also, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, “Ark of Return.” 

Across Africa, drums were used to accompany story telling playing a vital role in Africa's oral tradition and culture. Drums connect Africa and its diaspora. Enslaved peoples used them to communicate and to express their culture, they were an essential part of their survival and resilience. Its music transcends borders and language, acting as a unifying symbol, bringing people together, fostering unity, shared identity and strengthening community bonds.
 
The Concept
The Drum Dialogue is envisioned as a 1.5 hour event. It will include performances of traditional drummers and dancers from Africa and the African diaspora. A short 10-minute fireside chat, featuring history experts discussing the importance and history of the African drums, and short statements from relevant United Nations, Member States, civil society and other relevant figures. The event will celebrate Africa's and the diaspora's rich diversity.
 
 
Objectives
The proposed event is part of efforts aimed at promoting Africa and African diaspora culture and recognizing the contributions of Africans and people of African Descent in the spirit of Recognition, Justice, and Development. Specific objectives include:
Celebrating African and Afro-descendant culture and heritage
Promoting the rich diversity of Afro-descendants’ cultural heritage and contributions to global development;
Educating the public on the rich history of Africans and the African diaspora
Support the participation of young people of African descent in meaningful cultural activities, increasing their knowledge and participation in relevant multicultural/multilateral spaces.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, “Ark of Return,”
Recognizing the beginning of the first year of the Second Decade for People of African Descent

Date, Duration and Venue
The drum dialogue will be held in the Visitors Plaza at UN Secretariat, New York in front of the Ark of Return on April 14th, 2025. The event will last 1.5 hours with drummers performing. The agenda will also include brief remarks from relevant UN entities and other stakeholders and a short fireside chat session.

Organizing & Partner Agencies 
UNFPA will host the event in partnership with the Department of Global Communication and OHCHR and in collaboration with the Africa Center.