Antigua and Barbuda Participates in the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations

Antigua and Barbuda Participates in the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent at the United Nations

The Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission (ABRSC) is currently participating in the Fourth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD), taking place from April 14–17 under the theme: “Africa and People of African Descent: United for Reparatory Justice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

Leading the delegation is Chair of the ABRSC Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, and joining him is Commissioner Angelica O’Donoghue. As part of their engagement, the representatives paid a courtesy visit to Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson. The delegation later joined Ambassador Webson for the Forum’s official opening at the United Nations General Assembly.

The session opened with the appointment of Ambassador Martin Kimani, former Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations, and who was just in Antigua and Barbuda for the Diplomatic Encounter, as the new Chair of the Forum.  Antigua and Barbuda is currently Chair of the Caricom Caucus of Permanent Representatives of the United Nations and therefore was responsible for delivering a statement on behalf of the regional grouping. The statement was delivered by Ambassador O’Marde, during which he expressed appreciation for the leadership of outgoing Chair Dr. June Soomer and welcomed Ambassador Kimani to the post.

In the statement, CARICOM reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the cause of reparatory justice and praised the Permanent Forum for its continued advocacy to improve the lives of people of African descent. It welcomed the recent proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, noting that it offers a vital opportunity to deepen the global pursuit of justice and redress.

“Lest we forget the dark periods in our history and the racial injustices that befell those before us, the fight against racism and racial discrimination is far from over,” the statement read. “CARICOM will continue to advocate for reparatory justice guided by the CARICOM Ten-Point Plan. The theme of this year’s session is timely and important, as it reinforces the need to center justice and accountability in a technologically advancing world.”

The session is expected to address a range of critical topics, including the global reparatory justice agenda, the human rights of women and girls of African descent, the application of rights-based policymaking to combat systemic racism, and the creation of inclusive and ethical artificial intelligence systems that safeguard the rights and dignity of people of African descent.

Ambassador O’Marde and Ms. O’Donoghue will also participate in several thematic sessions, including those focused on reparatory justice and institutional accountability, apology and repair, and the evolving dialogue between descendants of the enslaved and the enslavers.

Antigua and Barbuda’s participation underscores its steadfast dedication to the global reparatory justice movement and to building a more equitable future for people of African descent everywhere.

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