India backs Durban Declaration at UN, calls for coordinated global action against racism

India has reaffirmed its support for the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), calling for coordinated international efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as the United Nations marked 25 years since the adoption of the framework.

Addressing the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, India said the fight against racism required sustained global cooperation and implementation of commitments already undertaken by the international community.

India backs framework

India said it remained committed to the principles of equality and non-discrimination and supported effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

The DDPA was adopted at the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. It provides an international framework for tackling racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and identifies measures that governments and other stakeholders can undertake.

Collective action sought

India underlined the importance of coordinated international action in addressing discrimination and intolerance, stressing that contemporary forms of racism required countries to work together rather than approach the challenge in isolation.

New Delhi also emphasised the need to address new manifestations of discrimination arising from changing social and technological conditions. Digital technologies have increasingly emerged as an area of concern in the global debate, with online platforms capable of amplifying hate speech and discriminatory narratives.

Twenty-five years of Durban

Monday’s high-level meeting commemorated the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It was held under the theme of mobilising global public support for its full and effective implementation.

The framework recognises racism as a global concern and calls for measures ranging from stronger laws and institutions to education, equal participation, access to remedies and international cooperation.

Historical discrimination

The Durban framework also addresses the continuing consequences of slavery, the slave trade, colonialism, apartheid and other forms of historical injustice. It identifies Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, refugees and several minority communities among groups vulnerable to discrimination.

While the DDPA is not legally binding, it represents a political commitment by participating countries and continues to serve as an international framework for anti-racism initiatives.

Technology challenge

The anniversary discussions also focused on the ways racism and discrimination can be reproduced or amplified through emerging technologies. The UN has warned that biased datasets and poorly designed artificial intelligence systems can reinforce structural inequalities.

Participants called for safeguards, transparency, accountability and human oversight as technology becomes increasingly integrated into public and private decision-making.

Call for implementation

India’s intervention came as the UN sought renewed political commitment to implementing the Durban framework rather than limiting the anniversary to a commemorative exercise.

The high-level meeting brought together member states to review progress made over the past quarter-century, identify persistent gaps and consider measures for strengthening national and international action against racism and related forms of intolerance.