ERC participates in UN Forum on People of African Descent

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) participated in the fifth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD5), which was held between April 14 and 17, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Commission is represented by its Deputy Chairman, Charles Ogle. The Forum brought together international stakeholders to engage in dialogue on advancing equity, justice and inclusion for people of African descent, with discussions focusing on the enduring impacts of slavery and colonialism, the role of education and the strengthening of institutional frameworks to promote equality and social inclusion. In his contribution to the forum, Ogle highlighted the significance of cultural heritage as a foundation of identity and historical memory; he alluded to the efforts to preserve this history that are reflected in institutions such as the Museum of African Heritage, the Guyana National Museum, and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which safeguard artifacts and narratives central to our diverse cultural legacy.

He also highlighted the Commission’s continued support for the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, with an emphasis on the importance of education, institutional strengthening and youth engagement in advancing equality and achieving meaningful progress. The ERC stands resolute in its support for international dialogue on reparatory justice, including both the restitution of cultural heritage and broader measures that acknowledge and address the historical injustices of slavery.