A/RES/70/7
Permanent memorial to and remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade
Recalling that the permanent memorial initiative complements the work being
done at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on the
Slave Route Project,
1.
Welcomes the erection of the Ark of Return, at a place of prominence at
United Nations Headquarters that is easily accessible to delegates, United Nations
staff and visitors, as the permanent memorial to honour the victims of slavery and
the transatlantic slave trade, in acknowledgement of the tragedy and in
consideration of the legacy of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade;
2.
Expresses gratitude to the committee of interested States, drawn from all
geographical regions of the world, comprising Brazil, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, the
Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Senegal, Suriname and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, with Member States from the Caribbean Community
and the African Union playing a primary role, in collaboration with the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, representatives of the
Secretariat and civil society, which oversaw the permanent memorial project;
3.
Recalls the establishment of a trust fund account for the permanent
memorial, referred to as the United Nations Trust Fund for Partnerships —
Permanent Memorial, administered by the United Nations Office for Partnerships,
and notes the current status of contributions to the Trust Fund;2
4.
Expresses sincere appreciation to those Member States, organizations
and individuals that have made contributions to the Trust Fund;
5.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the programme of
educational outreach on the transatlantic slave trade and slavery 3 relating to the
diverse educational outreach strategy to increase awareness of and to educate future
generations about the causes, consequences, lessons and legacy of the transatlantic
slave trade and to communicate the dangers of racism and prejudice, and encourages
continued action in this regard;
6.
Requests the Secretary-General to continue to organize an annual series
of activities to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims
of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, including a commemorative meeting
of the General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters and, as appropriate,
activities through the network of United Nations information centres;
7.
Requests the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat, in
cooperation with the countries concerned and with relevant organizations and bodies
of the United Nations system, to continue to take appropriate steps to enhance world
public awareness of the commemorative activities and the permanent memorial at
United Nations Headquarters;
8.
Reiterates its request, in resolution 64/15 of 16 November 2009, for
Member States to develop, in accordance with their national legislation, educational
programmes, including through school curricula, designed to educate and inculcate
in future generations an understanding of the lessons, history and consequences of
slavery and the slave trade, and to provide such information to the SecretaryGeneral for inclusion in his report;
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2
3
2/3
A/70/136.
A/70/221.