Kamlager-Dove, Colleagues Celebrate 2nd United Nations-Designated International Decade for People of African Descent

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), along with 14 colleagues, celebrate the United Nations General Assembly's groundbreaking adoption of a resolution establishing a second Decade for People of African Descent. The Second Decade, spanning from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034, was co-sponsored by 87 UN Member States and adopted by consensus, reflecting broad international support.

The initiative comes after Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced a resolution on November 20, 2024, that called for a second United Nations-designated International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034) and pushed for comprehensive actions to combat racism and foster inclusion at national and international levels.

“I am proud that the UN adopted a resolution to establish a second ‘International Decade for People of African Descent,’ which Representative Hank Johnson and I called for in Congress last month," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “With this declaration, the UN has renewed a global commitment to people of African descent. The United States must uphold this promise by helping to pursue justice, ensure sustainable development, and address systemic and structural racism for Afro-descendants here at home and across the world.”

"The United Nations' proclamation of a second Decade for People of African Descent is a monumental step toward justice and equity," said Congressman Johnson. "It reflects our shared responsibility to address systemic inequities and uplift the contributions of people of African descent globally. I am proud to lead this effort and grateful for the international community's support."

“This resolution establishing the Second Decade for People of African Descent is truly historic; it reflects our shared values that all human beings are born free with equal dignity and rights,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “We have a moral responsibility to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora and to highlight the ongoing fight for racial equity. This resolution reaffirms our support for progress implementing policies that address the history of institutional racism.”

“This is a new opportunity to truly advance racial justice, reparations, protect African based spiritualities, increase global political participation of afrodescendants and the specific rights of women, LGBTQ, children, and migrants. We will work with Rep. Johnson and others to help advance this agenda,” said Gimena Sanchez, Director for the Andes, WOLA.

The resolution was championed by Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Congressman Johnson with the support of several key cosponsors, including Representatives Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), as well as Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Summer L. Lee (PA-12).