Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. It gives me great pleasure to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda Item 67: Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

2. We thank the Secretary-General for his reports submitted under this agenda item. We also thank Mr. Githu Muigai, the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, for his comprehensive presentation.

Mr. Chairman,

3. During the past decades the international community has made some advances in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Such efforts were crowned by convening the Durban Conference in 2001 which constitutes a landmark in the struggle to eradicate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

4. Despite the progress made, the scourge of racism still exists and the objective of a world free from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance remains elusive.

5. Victims in many parts of the world continue to suffer from violence on the basis of their ethnic origin or religious affiliation. Civil liberties continue to be diminished since the tragedy of 11 September 2001. The global rise and number of incidents of racial or religious intolerance and violence manifested in particular by the derogatory stereotyping and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief continues to be of grave concern. New technologies are continued to be used as a mean to proliferate hate-speech. Migrants are still easy targets of manifestations of racism and xenophobia.

Mr. Chairman,

6. In light of the persistent challenges, we should translate our commitment into action and take appropriate measures to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference, which constitute the most comprehensive international framework in the fight against racism. Moreover, it is essential to address the root causes and take a broad range of preventive measures as well as legislative measures to eliminate acts of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Furthermore, it is indispensable to address with greater resolve and political will all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in all spheres of life and in all parts of the world, including all those under foreign occupation. In addition, intercultural dialogue, tolerance, education and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity are crucial for combating this scourge.

7. We are looking forward to the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the World Conference through convening one-day plenary event during the high-level segment of the General Assembly during its sixty-sixth session. This event undoubtedly provides a timely opportunity to assess the progress made in implementation of the outcomes of the Conference, identify the obstacles and challenges encountered and find the appropriate solutions they require. We encourage all Member States to participate actively in this important occasion. For the G77 and China, the event will provide an opportunity for Heads of State and Government to mobilize political will. We would like to see the tenth anniversary celebrated in a befitting manner during the high-level segment, the culmination of which will be the adoption of an outcome that encapsulates the global resolve to end racism and place victims at the centre of our deliberations.

8. The Group would like to express its appreciation for the continuing work of the mechanisms mandated to follow up the World Conference and emphasizes the importance of providing them with the resources necessary for the effective fulfillment of their mandates. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China welcomes the recently concluded 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group for the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (IGWG), which was held from 11-22 October 2010. The G77 and China notes with appreciation that the Conclusion and Recommendations were adopted by consensus by all the participants involved, especially on the issues of migration, employment, the protection of children and structural discrimination.

9. The Group warmly welcomes the recommendations on the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We would like to thank the Permanent Representative of Djibouti in Geneva who skillfully chaired and steered the IGWG towards a successful outcome. We would also like to encourage delegations to participate in the forthcoming Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards, which will be held in November 2010. Furthermore, we would like to encourage the Secretary-General to nominate the replacement to fill the vacancy within the Group of Eminent Persons. This replacement will provide synergies in the mobilization of political will and Eminent Persons.

10. Regrettably, the programme of meetings related to this agenda item continue to be scheduled in Geneva, in a manner that impacts negatively on the negotiations in New York. This results in the tabling of racism resolutions rather late as the Group of 77 and China has to incorporate the outcomes of the Geneva meetings. We call on the Office of the High Commissioner to take this issue into account in its future planning of meetings, specifically during the period October/ November. An example of the impact of the conflicting scheduling is the convening of the forthcoming session of the Ad Hoc Committee in November during the time the Third Committee takes action on resolutions.

11. Following the practice of previous sessions, the Group of 77 and China will table a resolution on the global efforts for the total elimination of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of the follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We are looking forward to the valuable contribution and support of all Member States and we hope that this important resolution will be adopted by consensus. The Group will also table a separate resolution on the modalities for the organization of the high-level event to commemorate the tenth-year anniversary in 2011. We are encouraged by the support expressed during the IGWG by our partners for the event and we look forward to useful contributions in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

12. We welcome the increased attention that the General Assembly has generated with its decision to erect at a place of prominence at the United Nations, a permanent memorial to honour the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The permanent memorial initiative should be viewed as a partial fulfilment of paragraph 101 of the Durban Declaration which, inter alia, calls upon the international community to honour the memory of the victims of slavery. In this context, we call upon the international community, while acknowledging the tragedy of slavery and the lingering consequences, including discrimination and racial prejudice, to ensure that this tragic chapter in history should never again be allowed to occur.

13. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, the outcomes of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the 2009 Durban Review Conference, remain the bases and fundamental legal framework for the effective elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this context, the Group reemphasizes that a resolute and renewed political will, adequate funding as well as sustained international cooperation are indispensable to address all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

14. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action and the outcome of 2009 Durban Review Conference in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination that hinders the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of millions around the world.

I thank you.