Venezuela participates in the 5th UNESCO World Forum against Discrimination and Racism in The Hague

Published at: 05/11/2026 03:42 PM

The Permanent Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the OPCW, the ICC and other International Organizations and Tribunals based in the Netherlands represented the country at the 5th UNESCO World Forum against Racism and Discrimination, which was held at the World Forum in the city of The Hague, on October 29 and 30.

Under the slogan “From Commitment to Accountability: Changing the System, Changing the Future”, the international meeting was organized jointly by the Government of the Netherlands and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with representatives from more than 85 countries.

The Forum constitutes an important international platform for discussing initiatives aimed at combating racism, discrimination and intolerance; promoting equality and protecting human rights.

The opening ceremony was attended by King William Alexander of the Netherlands; the Prime Minister of the host country, Rob Jetten; high-level representatives of UNESCO, the European Commission and the United Nations; national authorities from various States, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives accredited to the Netherlands.

On behalf of UNESCO, the Deputy Director General, Åsa Regnér, the President of the Executive Council, Nasser Bin Hamad Al Hinzab, and the Deputy Director General of Science, Denise Pires de Carvalho, participated.

During the high-level activity, the participation of notable international figures who defend human rights and committed to the fight against racism and discrimination, such as the jurist and defender of civil rights, Kimberlé Crenshaw, as well as the actress, producer and activist, Viola Davis, both from America, together with other representatives of social organizations from all continents, mayors, academics, and activists against racism and discrimination.

The Venezuelan delegation, led by Ambassador Hector Constant Rosales, exchanged, within the framework of the event, various perspectives on the topic, disseminating advances in the fight against discrimination and racism, as well as the processes of vindicating the Afro-descendant, Maroon and indigenous heritage that constitutes a fundamental part of Venezuelan identity.

The regulatory and institutional advances that have taken place in Venezuela were also shared, with emphasis on the Organic Law against Racial Discrimination of 2011 and its partial reform in 2021.

The 2026 edition of the Forum focused on addressing accountability mechanisms, promoting inclusive policymaking and addressing both long-standing and emerging challenges, including those related to digital transformation.

Similarly, the Forum placed special emphasis on translating political commitments into concrete measures to prevent discrimination and promote inclusive societies.

The first edition of this important Global Forum was held in Paris, France (2021), and the following in Mexico City, Mexico (2022), São Paulo, Brazil (2023) and Barcelona, Spain (2024).

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