Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,

On the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the adoption of the DDPA, the EU wishes to reaffirm its strong commitment to prevent and fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance whenever and wherever it occurs. The recent publication of the first ever EU Anti-Racism Action Plan is a testament to that commitment.

With this plan the EU acknowledges that racism is not only perpetrated by individuals but can also be structural, damaging society in many different ways, and that we must fight both visible and implicit forms of racism, such as structural racism and unconscious biases, inter alia by adopting national action plans as recommended by the DDPA. Currently, around half of the EU Member States have such plans.

Systemic racism occurs in all kinds of settings. It is intersectional by nature and spreads in a variety of societal sectors. We see it in the justice system and the law enforcement sector, in the labour and housing markets, in education and healthcare, in politics and migration.

In order to tackle systemic racism and discrimination, response measures need to be intersectional as well – taking into account sex, race, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, disability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. To close the gaps in protection we need a horizontal approach. Furthermore, we need a concerted and global approach, which combines preventive measures, dialogue, best practices exchanges, educational programs, promotion of tolerance and pluralism.

While this is true at the national level, it is also true for the UN system. Therefore, this panel is very timely and highly relevant. All UN agencies should make sure to integrate this pressing issue into their policies and programmes. WHO, UNESCO, UN WOMEN - all have to be involved if we want to effectively eliminate racism and racial discrimination.

Madam President,

COVID-19 has exacerbated existing patterns of discrimination, and further exposed and sharpened structural inequalities. As the pandemic continues to unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that these underlying inequalities cause persons belonging to certain groups to be disproportionately affected.

In this context, response measures must take account of the needs of those that are most at risk of marginalisation, stigmatisation, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance.

Finally, when we start to “build back better”, let us all make sure to use the moment well and work towards societies that are more equitable and more just. As the UNSG mentioned in one of his first policy briefs on Covid, equality and non-discrimination are core human rights that apply at all times.

Thank you.