A/HRC/50/60 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 43/36, the Human Rights Council requested the Special Rapporteur to undertake thematic research with a view to advise States and relevant State institutions on the elimination of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The present thematic report, submitted in response to that request, provides a racial justice and equality analysis of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, with attention to the global economic and financial system within which they are embedded. 2. Sustainable development seeks the interlinked objectives of “eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, combating inequality within and among countries, preserving the planet, creating sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and fostering social inclusion”.1 3. In 2017, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent devoted its twentieth session to the Sustainable Development Goals.2 The Working Group noted that poverty, inequality and inadequate social protection disproportionately affected people of African descent due to deeply entrenched structural barriers to racial equality. In the years since, the Working Group has continued to highlight that the eradication of structural discrimination is a key driver for attaining the Goals, requiring the dismantling of the structural and systemic barriers to sustainable development that exist for people of African descent in developing and developed countries. 3 In December 2020, the Working Group published its Operational Guidelines on the Inclusion of People of African Descent in the 2030 Agenda. The Special Rapporteur observes that no input she received from Member States or multilateral development institutions referenced the Operational Guidelines, raising the concern that stakeholders have not utilized this valuable resource. 4. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance operate at two levels and that both must be addressed by human rights analysis within the broader field of development. The first level captures the treatment of and outcomes for individuals and groups on the grounds of their race, colour, descent and national or ethnic origin. The second level entails the treatment of and outcomes for countries and territories that were subject to prolonged exploitation and degradation during the colonial era on the basis of racist theories and beliefs.4 5. The present report offers three findings. Firstly, on balance, the 2030 Agenda is characterized by a shallow commitment to racial justice and equality and fails to adequately address the systemic racism and xenophobia that remain barriers to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Although the 2030 Agenda contains the powerful pledge to “leave no one behind”, its implementation framework fails adequately to prioritize racial justice, equality and non-discrimination. The 2030 Agenda fails even to mention the most comprehensive plan of action for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance within the United Nations system – the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 6. Secondly, notwithstanding the failure of the 2030 Agenda to embed a meaningful commitment to racial justice and equality within the international development framework, it has an untapped potential to advance international human rights law and principles of racial equality and non-discrimination. In the light of the global influence of the 2030 Agenda, the Special Rapporteur provides actionable recommendations that could help unlock that potential. 7. Finally, the Special Rapporteur underscores the urgent need for a radical transformation of the overall international development paradigm within which the Sustainable Development Goals are embedded. The prevailing international development framework and its institutions have been the subject of wide-ranging and justified criticism. 1 2 3 4 General Assembly resolution 70/1, para. 13. A/HRC/36/60. A/76/302, para. 97. A/HRC/41/54, paras. 22–28. 3