Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 October 2000
In 1997, the UN General Assembly decided to convene a World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCR) by no later than 2001. The decision reflected growing concern about the rise worldwide in the incidents of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and recognition of the challenges and prospects for combating these phenomena.
The first World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination was held in Geneva in 1978, at the mid-point of the first Decade. The second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva, 1 - 12 August 1983, reviewed and assessed the activities undertaken during the Decade and formulated specific measures to ensure the implementation of United nations instruments to eliminate racism, racial discrimination and apartheid.
Between 1973 and 2003, the UN designated three decades of action to combat racism and racial discrimination and to ensure support to people struggling for racial equality.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights approached South Africa in 1999 to host the World Conference "on the understanding that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will play a key role towards ensuring that adequate funds are secured for this venture." In December 1999, the General Assembly welcomed the offer by South Africa to host the conference.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that the World Conference will be held at the International Convention Centre in Durban
For Information, Please Contact Ronnie Mamoepa
Office No: 3511000/0067/018
Cell No: 082-9904853