Guyana reaffirms call for 2nd International Decade for People of African Descent

The Guyana Government and CARICOM are renewing their call for a second International Decade for People of African Descent, emphasising the need for sustained international focus on the rights and dignity of African descendants. Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, spoke at a high-level event in New York on Friday, marking the conclusion of the first International Decade, which was proclaimed in 2014.
Representing both Guyana and CARICOM, Walrond highlighted the impact of the initial decade, noting that it increased global awareness of both the contributions and ongoing challenges faced by people of African descent. This awareness, she stated, laid a foundation for meaningful programmes aimed at preserving cultural heritage and educating the world on the systemic racism that persists as a legacy of slavery and colonialism.
“The International Decade has also provided much-needed impetus for many Governments, institutions, and individuals to rewrite the narratives of the past which had been promulgated for centuries – shedding light on the egregious unspoken truths and preserving the dignity of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade,” Walrond said.

She expressed that the progress made under the first decade’s activities should not be seen as temporary measures but as part of an ongoing mission to secure equality and justice for all. The legacies of slavery and colonialism, she emphasised, still exert a negative impact on the lives of African descendants, underscoring the need for continued efforts.
Despite challenges, Walrond voiced CARICOM’s optimism that the international community can build upon the momentum generated by the first Decade. Through open and inclusive dialogue, she urged, nations can work collaboratively to address these enduring issues in pragmatic and impactful ways.
As discussions for the establishment of a Second International Decade take shape, CARICOM and Guyana are advocating for a sustained commitment from the global community to advance the recognition, justice, and development of People of African Descent worldwide.