2010 - OAS resolution “Recognition of the International Year for People of African Descent”

On June 8, 2010, in the framework of its Fortieth Regular Session, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted resolution [AG/RES 2550], “Recognition of the International Year for People of African Descent,” which, inter alia, takes note of the International Year for People of African Descent and reaffirms the importance of the full and equal participation of people of African descent in all aspects of political, economic, social, and cultural life in the countries of the Americas.

It should be noted that this resolution is the first devoted specifically to the Afro-descendant theme in the context of the OAS, and it instructs the Permanent Council of that Organization to hold a special meeting to celebrate the International Year for People of African Descent. The resolution also provides for the convocation of a second special meeting on cooperation between the Americas and Africa, with the participation of the African diplomatic corps and representatives of the African Union Commission as well as OAS permanent representatives.

Therefore, the OAS includes the Afro-descendant theme in its agenda, in the context of a region that is home to approximately 200 million people of African descent, who have been recognized as vulnerable groups in important international instruments.