How many African diaspora communities live in Asia and the Pacific region?

An official UN document states that there are no official statistics available on the demography of people of African descent living in Asia and the Pacific region. However, there is a long historical presence of Africans and communities of African descent in the region who have contributed to its cultural and social fabric.

On 27 June 2025, the Regional Launch of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent in the Asia Pacific Region was held online and in person at the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Manila, Philippines.

Official documents highlighted that at the end of 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to make 2025-2034 the Second International Decade for People of African Descent. This year marks the first year of the Decade. In this historical context, OHCHR Regional Office for South-East Asia and the Asia Pacific Network for People of African Descent (APN) organized the launch.  The historical event has included Member States, people of African descent, civil society leaders – including youth activists, academics, researchers, and practitioners working on issues related to people of African descent; national human rights institutions, and international and regional organizations.

This event provided an overview of the key objectives of the Second International Decade and a reflection on the achievements made and ongoing challenges faced by people of African descent in the Asia Pacific region, including inspirational stories and engaging discussions for a more inclusive approach and equitable future.

The objectives of the regional events were to:

  • Commemorate and raise awareness about the proclamation of the Second International Decade and increase understanding of its objectives and themes;
  • Generate buy-in for the objectives of the Second International Decade;
  • Encourage action to promote the Second International Decade and support the implementation of its programme of activities; and
  • Receive updates on concrete plans by States and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the International Decade.

BACKGROUND

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025-2034 as the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (A/RES/79/193), highlighting that the International Decade for People of African Descent has provided a framework that fostered action by States, international and regional organizations, civil society, people of African descent and other stakeholders and contributed to the progressive consolidation of an international agenda for people of African descent, and despite efforts and initiatives undertaken by States and other stakeholders, much remains to be done to engender the full enjoyment of all human rights and benefits of development for all people of African descent. Data and lived experiences of people of African descent show that they continue to face systemic racism, racial discrimination, and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in all areas of life, in different regions of the world, some of which take violent forms.

The Second International Decade’s theme of “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development” is a continuation of the theme from the 2015-2024 International Decade for People of African Descent. The main objective of the programme of activities is to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African descent.

The first International Decade has contributed to the gaining of greater understanding and visibility of the lived experiences of people of African descent. However, much remains to be done to ensure that all people of African descent can fully and effectively enjoy the benefits of sustainable development and all their human rights. The Second International Decade must focus on greater action to create real, positive changes in the lives of people of African descent.

International human rights law and political commitments by States provide a clear framework for attaining substantive racial justice and equality, beyond a purely formal conception of equality. They place obligations on States to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, including systemic racism. The implementation of the programme of activities under the Second International Decade is an integral part of the full and effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the principal international instrument aimed at eliminating racial discrimination, and of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), a comprehensive and visionary document that embodies the world’s commitment to tackle the scourge of racism in all its forms and manifestations.

 

More information can be accessed at OHCHR – Regional Office for South-East Asia Bangkok

Additional photos by Bereket Alemayehu