2024 Remembrance Programme
"Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations"
The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans represents one of the most horrific and traumatizing eras in human history.
This racialized system of enslavement abducted, trafficked, and brutally dehumanized Africans and their descendants over centuries, leaving a pernicious legacy of racism grounded in the false narrative of white supremacy.
A critical way to counter racism with justice is to acknowledge the fundamental dignity, equality, and rights of people of African descent within communities, institutions, policies, laws and governing bodies.
Recognizing the egregious history and legacies of enslavement, the United Nations will step up efforts to address racism, intolerance, bigotry and hatred, to advance the cause of global freedom.
Message of the United Nations Secretary-General
For four hundred years, enslaved Africans fought for their freedom, while colonial powers and others committed horrific crimes against them.
On the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, we remember and honour the millions of Africans who were trafficked and enslaved.
Their lives were ruled by terror, as they endured rape, floggings, lynchings and other atrocities and humiliations.
Many of those who organized and ran the transatlantic slave trade amassed huge fortunes. Meanwhile, the enslaved were deprived of education, healthcare, opportunity, and prosperity.
This laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy that still echoes today.
Descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent are still fighting for equal rights and freedoms around the world.
Today and every day, we reject the legacy of this horrific crime against humanity.
We call for reparatory justice frameworks, to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination.
We appeal for the space and necessary conditions for healing, repair and justice.
And above all, we resolve to work for a world free from racism, discrimination, bigotry and hate.
Together, as we remember the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, let’s unite for human rights, dignity and opportunity.
Remarks of the President of the General Assembly
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me at the outset recognize and welcome among us here today our Keynote Speaker, Sir Hilary Beckles, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, as well as Youth Speaker Yolanda King – your presence is very much appreciated.
Today, we gather in solemn observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
This day holds profound significance – uniting us in a shared commitment to honour the memory of those who endured unimaginable suffering during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
On this sombre occasion, we pause to reflect and remember the tens of millions of enslaved Africans who were trafficked and sold into bondage – let alone being subjected to namelessness, relentless violence, and the most callous forms of dehumanization imaginable.
In their memory, we still feel the painful brutality they endured in their struggle for freedom.
I also take this moment to pay homage to the countless souls who perished on the harrowing journey of the Middle Passage – the desolate graveyard of the Atlantic.
These millions of people – humans like any one of us – were not merely robbed of their physical freedom, but of their identity and dignity.
The transatlantic slave trade – one the most heinous crimes against humanity that spanned over four centuries – introduced an abominable and abhorrent system of slavery that was not only commercialized but was racialized.
Calendar of Events
19 March 2024
Exhibit on enslavement in South Africa opens at UN Headquarters
The United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, in collaboration with the Iziko Museums of South Africa, displayed an adaptation of the exhibit “Who were the enslaved? Commemorating lives under enslavement at the Cape of Good Hope”. Originally displayed at the Iziko Slave Lodge in Cape Town in 2022, the exhibit examined slavery in South Africa and highlighted stories of individuals enslaved at the Slave Lodge. The exhibition was on display in the Visitors Lobby at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
DGC/Catharine Smith
Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the UN; H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini,
Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN; Iziko Museums Chief Curator Wendy Black
DGC/Catharine Smith
25 March 2024
UN General Assembly marks International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade
The United Nations General Assembly in the General Assembly Hall in New York to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Speakers included the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis; the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Courtenay Rattray, who delivered remarks by Secretary-General António Guterres; and Member States. The keynote speaker was Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Commission on Reparation and Social Justice. The youth speaker was Yolanda Renee King, author and granddaughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Watch on UN WebTV
(Written remarks)
(Written remarks)
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Yolanda Renee King addresses the General Assembly
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
meeting (L-R): Yolanda Renee King, Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray,
President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis, Sir Hilary Beckles,
Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
25 March 2024
CARICOM reparations chair pens article for UN publication on reparation mechanisms
In honour of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Commission on Reparation and Social Justice, wrote an article for the UN Chronicle, entitled: “.”
25 March - 28 March 2024
New exhibit highlights tragic “Ibo Landing” history
The United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery supported the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the display of their powerful exhibit entitled “Ibo Landing”. The Ibo, also referred to as Igbo, are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. In 1803, a group of enslaved people from this region committed one of history’s most grievous acts of resistance in defiance of enslavement. This exhibit captured the sorrow and horrors of this historic event that took place in the US state of Georgia, through original drawings by Jamaican-American artist Donovan Nelson. The exhibit was on display at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
(L-R) UNFPA Programme Adviser Patrica Da Silva, UNFPA Executive Director
Dr. Natalia Kanem, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa
Fleming, artist Donovan Nelson, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN
UNFPA/Yuntong Man
26 March 2024
General Assembly President convenes dialogue on reparatory justice
The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, with Member States on reparatory justice, in connection with International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade –as part of his “Gayap Dialogues” series. These regular discussions focus on issues of concern to the United Nations. Among other questions, representatives at this dialogue considered how best to facilitate leadership and political will from Member States to address the legacies of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
26 March 2024
Top UN officials and ambassadors visit African Burial Ground National Monument
The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, with support from the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, organized a private visit to the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York for representatives of United Nations Member States. The goal was to learn about and reflect on the enslavement, resistance and resilience of Africans in the United Nations’ host city. The tour was led by Rodney Leon, the architect who designed both this monument and the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Participants included: H.E. Mr. Fran?ois Jackman, Permanent Representative of Barbados; H.E. Ms. Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany; H.E. Mr. Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica; H.E. Ms. Yoka Brandt, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands; H.E. Ms. Merete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway; H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal; H.E. Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union; H.E. Mr. Norberto Moretti, Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil; H.E. Mr. James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom; H.E. Ms. Stephanie Sullivan, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States; Mr. Jorge Eduardo Ferreira Silva Aranda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal; Mr. Ordell Barman, Deputy Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago; Ms. Charlotta Schlyter, Ambassador, Economic and Social Affairs, Permanent Mission of Sweden; H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, Chef de Cabinet to the President of the General Assembly; Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications; Mr. Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC); and Mr. Robb Skinner, Deputy Director of the Outreach Division of DGC.
OPGA/Iseult McNulty
23 April 2024
General Assembly President tells university that reparatory justice starts with truth
In New York, the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, addressed The New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, as part of its 2024 Henry Cohen Lecture Series, on the transatlantic slave trade, its legacies and the pursuit of reparatory justice. In his remarks, he said, “The transatlantic slave trade and chattel slavery – one of the darkest chapters in human history – was not merely a 400-year long aberration, but a systematic assault on the fundamental rights of millions of people of African descent.” He added, “Reparatory justice starts with historical justice. It starts with the truth… By formally acknowledging this historical injustice – of denying millions their right to life and indeed their dignity – by offering apologies and engaging in truth-telling, we would, in effect, be honouring the memory of all those who suffered and died and pave the way for reconciliation and healing. This is a good and rightful start – but it is just that: only a start.”
OPGA/ Elizabeth De Jonge
25 April 2024
UN event highlights exhibit on enslavement in South Africa
At United Nations Headquarters in New York, an event was held to mark the successful ongoing run of the exhibit “Who were the enslaved? Commemorating lives under enslavement at the Cape of Good Hope”, which was originally produced by the Iziko Museums of South Africa. The event was organized by the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery with support from the United Nations Population Fund and the Permanent Missions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations. In his remarks, the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, said, “This powerful exhibit does not only recount past atrocities; it transforms the site of human wrongs into one of human rights.” Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming added, “This exhibit tells the stories of… tens of thousands of women, children and men. And reveals their courage and resilience in the face of appalling atrocities - systematic rape, torture, and executions.” For his part, Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray said, “Exhibits such as these convey painful facts and highlight past wrongs. But they also remind us of our duty to reject and dismantle racist structures and confront slavery’s lasting legacy of marginalization, bigotry and unequal opportunities for all.” Statements were also delivered by the Permanent Representative of South Africa, H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, and the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Yoka Brandt.
OPGA/Iseult McNulty
OPGA/Iseult McNulty
Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications; H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis,
President of the General Assembly; H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative
of South Africa; H.E. Ms. Yoka Brandt, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
Mr Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Global Communications
OPGA/Iseult McNulty
20 May 2024
New exhibit honours freedom fighters in Haiti and United States
A new exhibit, “”, opened at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Organized by the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations and the Office of the Permanent Observer for the International Organization of la Francophonie to the United Nations, the exhibit honours the courage of those who fought for freedom in the 1791-1804 Haitian Revolution and the 1811 German Coast Uprising in the Territory of Orleans, the largest revolt of enslaved peoples in US history. The exhibit features artwork by seven artists that convey a universal message of freedom and resilience.
DGC/Brenden Varma
23 September 2024
High-level moment to mark the 30th anniversary of the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project
The Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery supported the UNESCO high-level moment to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Routes of Enslaved Peoples project and recognize the important contributions people of African descent have made to society. Several Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers and UN officials attended the event, which took place on 23 September 2024 at the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (the Ark of Return.) Youth actor and activist Jaden Michael served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
DGC/Jayashri Wyatt
26 September 2024
Return to Gorée, Africa: From the Door of Return at the African Burial Ground in New York via the Ark of Return at the United Nations
The Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery participated in a special event organized by the Gorée Foundation and the Government of Senegal at the African Burial Ground National Monument entitled “Return to Gorée, Africa: From the Door of Return at the African Burial Ground in New York via the Ark of Return at the United Nations”. Several high-level officials, including the foreign minister of Senegal, and representatives of civil society attended the event, which took place on 26 September 2024. Mr. Maher Nasser, Director of the Department of Global Communications Outreach Division, delivered remarks.
DGC/Catharine Smith
25 October 2024, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Online Discussion | Resisting Enslavement: The History and Legacies of Maroon Communities
The United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery organized a moderated discussion about Maroon communities. This discussion examined M
