HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, 63rd Session
Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Permanent Forum on
People of African Descent
Statement by Sweden on behalf of the Nordic Baltic Countries
Speaker: H.E. Mr Magnus Hellgren, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva
30 September 2026
Mr/Madam Chair,
On behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries — Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and my own country, Sweden — I thank the Chair and members of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent for their report on the Forum's fifth session and for their continued efforts to advance the full enjoyment of human rights of people of African descent worldwide.
The Nordic-Baltic countries remain firmly committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their forms. We recognise that structural inequalities and discrimination continue to affect people of African descent in many societies and require sustained, evidence-based and rights-based responses.
We welcome the Forum's focus on young people of African descent as rights-holders and agents of change. We agree that inclusive and meaningful participation of young people is essential in order to address the inequalities and discrimination that continue to affect people of African descent around the world.
Mr. Chair,
Looking ahead to the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, what measures does the Forum consider most effective for ensuring that commitments made under the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action are translated into concrete improvements in the lives of people of African descent, particularly young people?
Thank you.