UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says racism continues to poison societies, calling for tangible actions to address it.

Mr Guterres said this at a high-level event marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The event was held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on Monday.

The Durban Declaration’s accompanying Programme of Action outlines actions states can take, serving as another blueprint for ensuring respect for human rights.

Concrete actions include investments in health systems, education, housing, electricity, drinking water, environmental control measures and promoting equal opportunities in employment.

Others include ensuring access to education and new technologies, supporting women and children, and including the history and contributions of Africans and people of African descent in the education curriculum.

The UN chief restated that the fight against racism and the fight against discrimination is even more urgent today than when the Declaration was adopted 25 years ago. He warned that racism continued to poison societies, deepen inequalities, and deny people their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Mr Guterres added that the antidote to this “poison” was unity and tangible action.

“The antidote to this poison is unity and tangible action. Governments must strengthen and effectively implement anti-discrimination and equality laws, and the institutions that enforce them. They must also spare no effort to dismantle systemic discrimination, and invest in inclusive and equal societies,’’ he said.

He urged governments to strengthen anti-discrimination laws, businesses to create workplaces where everyone can contribute, and technology companies to address bias in artificial intelligence.

The UN chief also called for concrete measures to deliver reparatory justice and urged everyone to stand against injustice and build societies where racism and discrimination have no place.

(NAN)