Durban Declaration and Program of Action

In 1997, the General Assembly decided in resolution 52/111 to hold the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. It was held in 2001 in Durban, South Africa and it was a landmark event in the struggle to improve the lives of millions of human beings around the world who are victims of racial discrimination and intolerance. The Conference adopted by consensus the Durban Declaration of Programme of Action (DDPA), which provided an important new framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It encompasses measures such as securing development, fighting poverty, strengthening education and improving respect and awarness for human rights.

In 2006, a decision to convene a Durban Review Conference was made by the UN Member States to follow-up the progress in fighting racial discrimination and intolerance. The goal of the review, held in 2009 was:

To review progress and assess implementation of the DDPA by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including assessment of contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, through an inclusive, transparent and collaborative process, and identification of concrete measures and initiatives for combating and eliminating all manifestations of these phenomena

To assess the effectiveness of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms and other relevant UN mechanisms dealing with the issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to enhance them

To promote the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and proper consideration of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

To identify and share good practices achieved in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration

The Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is one of the three mechanisms established to follow up the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The Intergovernmental Working Group was established by the Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/68 and approved by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 2002/270 in 2002.

Mandate

Make recommendations with a view to the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Prepare complementary international standards to strengthen and update international instruments against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their aspects.