According to Oli Henman, Co-Chair of the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism, the active participation of Afro-descendant organizations in recent sessions of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) played a significant role in the establishment of the Stakeholder Group for People of African Descent at the United Nations. This group will benefit not only Afro-descendants in Brazil but also those across the global diaspora.
“Many other stakeholder groups have demanded recognition of this identity and this is an opportunity for greater understanding of historical injustices at the UN,” Henman stated in this exclusive interview with Geledés, as one of the justifications for the group’s creation.
Geledés first publicly advocated for a Stakeholder Group for People of African Descent at the UN in September 2023. It’s important to understand that this group serves as a platform for dynamic exchange in the development of public policy and as a tool for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this context, Henman highlighted the role of Geledés—as a Black women’s organization—in the challenging process of advocating for the establishment of this group at the UN. “Representatives from Geledés stood out as speakers in key sessions, as part of both the NGO Major Group and the Women’s Major Group. It will be very valuable to continue and deepen this collaboration with all stakeholder groups within the mechanism (Major Groups & Other Stakeholders),” he said.
Recognized by the United Nations, the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders are channels for engagement between civil society and international organizations. They were established during the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio-92), as part of Agenda 21, to ensure civil society participation. These groups are active participants in various UN conferences, including the HLPF, the Financing for Development Forum, the General Assembly, and others.
On Friday, the 23rd, Geledés formally began its participation in the mechanism’s weekly virtual coordination meetings, as Henman explained. Read the full interview below.
Geledés – What does the creation of the Stakeholder Group for People of African Descent at the UN represent, not only for Brazil but for other diasporas around the world, especially in this moment of attacks on multilateralism?
The creation of the Stakeholder Group for People of African Descent marks an important moment to demonstrate the relevance of including groups that represent the diversity of societies across the world.
Geledés – How do you evaluate Geledés’ role in the UN forums, particularly in light of the process that began in September 2023 with a public request for a Major Group for People of African Descent?
Afro-descendant groups have been very active in each recent session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Geledés representatives stood out as speakers in important sessions, as part of the NGO Major Group and the Women’s Major Group. It will be very valuable to continue and strengthen this collaboration with all stakeholder groups in the mechanism (Major Groups & Other Stakeholders).
Geledés – How was the understanding reached that the creation of this group was truly necessary, and what were the steps that led to its announcement?
The key point for the formation of this new stakeholder group was the recognition of the specific identity and unique history of this population (people of African descent). Many other stakeholder groups advocated for the recognition of this identity and the opportunity for a deeper understanding of historical injustices at the UN.
Geledés – Once the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders have been defined as engagement channels between civil society and international organizations, how do these interactions happen at the UN, and how do they translate into concrete measures that benefit civil society—specifically Afro-descendants in this case?
The Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism maintains regular dialogue with the UN on matters related to monitoring and reviewing the SDGs. This includes weekly coordination meetings and ongoing communication with the relevant UN agency—UN DESA—as well as with the President of ECOSOC (who chairs the HLPF). The groups also have the right to submit a comprehensive analysis document on the SDGs under review and can nominate speakers as part of a collective process.
Geledés – Now that the Stakeholder Group for People of African Descent has been created, what are the next steps? Who can participate?
Representatives of the new group are now invited to participate in the mechanism’s regular weekly meetings and to join various working groups preparing the collective efforts for the next High-Level Political Forum.
Geledés – At the event “Strengthening the Role of Major Groups and Other Stakeholders,” organized by Geledés in July last year, in which you participated, Rashima Kwatra, coordinator of the LGBTQI Major Group and co-chair of the MGoS Coordination Mechanism, questioned the Global North’s control over funding for human rights agendas. How do you see this in relation to the Major Groups at a time when funding for human rights organizations is being cut?
Funding for UN activities is currently under significant threat. In particular, funding for human rights and diversity-related activities has been cut by several major donors from the Global North, such as the U.S. It will be important to identify opportunities for independent funding for civil society and human rights organizations in the future.
Geledés – At the same event, Carole Ageng’o of the Ageing Major Group spoke about the consequences of structural racism and tokenism in the UN’s multilateral spaces. How can this racism within the organization’s institutions be addressed?
There is an important opportunity to rebalance experience and engagement at the UN, in order to learn from more diverse backgrounds and actively combat racism. Given the reduction in funding from the Global North, there may be greater opportunities for Global South countries, such as Brazil, to demonstrate a different set of priorities.
Interview done by Kátia Mello, journalist at Geledés and Master in African Studies from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
