Director-General's remarks on the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 
Wednesday, 25 March 2026, at 1.00 p.m.
Room III, Palais des Nations

Delivered by Ms. Lidiya Grigoreva, Cheffe de Cabinet, Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen, 
Dear colleagues,

On behalf of Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, who could not be with us today, it is my great honor to join you on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and to convey her message.

“Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Permanent Delegation of the African Union, the African Group, and the NGO “World Against Racism Network” for organizing today’s commemoration.

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 25 March as the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, recognizing slavery and the slave trade as among the gravest violations of human rights in history.

Today, we remember the many million men, women and children who were torn from their families and communities, trafficked across the Atlantic, and subjected to unimaginable suffering and exploitation. Many perished. Many more were born into lives of bondage, denied their dignity and humanity. 

We honour their suffering, resilience and courage – including the countless acts of resistance in the face of injustice.

Yet, the legacy of slavery continues to haunt our world today. It persists in institutions shaped by this history, in inequalities, and in the racism and prejudice that still affect societies worldwide.

Addressing these realities requires sustained and collective efforts. We note with appreciation important initiatives, including the African Union’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Justice for People of African Descent through Reparations, and the growing recognition of slavery, deportation and colonization as crimes against humanity. 

These are important steps. But, as the UN Secretary-General has underscored, far more ambitious action is needed to address structural inequalities, ensure fair representation and respond meaningfully to the enduring consequences of slavery.

Here in Geneva – a centre of multilateralism, human rights and dialogue – we have a particular responsibility: to listen, to engage and to act.

In line with the UN Secretary-General’s Strategic Action Plan on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All, we are strengthening efforts to combat racism and discrimination, including within our own workplace. Initiatives such as the Geneva Alliance against Racism, launched in October 2023 with the participation of 22 UN entities and international organizations, enable us to coordinate action and reinforce our shared commitment to equality and inclusion.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This day is also about education. Understanding the full and truthful history of slavery is essential – to honor the victims, challenge misconceptions and foster greater awareness. Initiatives such as film screenings and discussions, including the screening at the Palais in October 2025 of the documentary “Colour” (2024)[1], directed by Dr. Hannah Strohmeier, help shed light on how colonial legacies and institutional racism continue to shape lives today.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we gather here today, we do more than remember. We reaffirm our commitment to dignity, justice, equality and human rights for all. These values must continue to guide our actions – today and in the future.”

This concludes the message of the Director-General of UNOG.

Thank you.