A/78/306 Furthermore, the Beirut Declaration and its 18 Commitments on Faith for Rights expands on article 2 of the Declaration with the specific pledges of faith-based actors to denounce all instances of advocacy of hatred that incites to violence, discrimination or hostility, and to stand up for the right of all persons belonging to minorities to participate equally and effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life (A/HRC/40/58, annex II, commitments VI and VII). 2. People of African descent 25. Pursuant to resolution 47/21 of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights submitted to the Council a report on racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent (see A/77/205). The High Commissioner provided information on developments and initiatives undertaken by States and others to address manifestations of systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent, including in the area of law enforcement, an d to advance accountability and redress for victims, including for legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism. 26. In November 2022, OHCHR convened in-person consultations with human rights defenders of African descent from South America, building on a virtual consultation held in May 2022, with a view to strengthening protection and networking for defenders in the subregion. In December 2022, OHCHR brought together activists, practitioners and academics of African descent from the region of Europe and other stakeholders to explore specific initiatives at the local, national and regional levels for dismantling systemic racism faced by Africans and people of African descent and for addressing legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism. 27. In May 2022, February 2023 and March 2023, OHCHR convened virtual consultations with civil society activists of African descent from the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Middle East and North Africa, respectively, to discuss, among other things, challenges and experiences with regard to the right to participate in public affairs for people of African descent. The continued approach of active listening to and interactive dialogue with people of African descent enabled OHCHR to continue to place their voices and lived experiences at the centre while facilitating the building of connections and solidarity between activists in various countries. 28. As part of efforts to promote and advance implementation of the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 –2024), OHCHR held a regional meeting for the Middle East on the International Decade on 31 October and 1 November 2022. 5 It was the fourth in a series of regional meetings held to promote the implementation of the programme of activities of the Decade, following regional meetings for Africa (held in 2019), Europe, Central Asia and North America (held in 2017) and Latin America and the Caribbean (held in 2015). 6 In her opening remarks at the regional meeting for the Middle East, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the significance of the Decade for the region and encouraged all actors to join forces to support the establishment of policies and practices to uphold the equal rights of all people, including people of African descent. 29. The inaugural session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, established in 2021 by General Assembly resolution 75/314, was held in December __________________ 5 6 23-15674 See www.ohchr.org/en/events/meetings/2022/regional-meeting-middle-east-international-decadepeople-african-descent. See www.ohchr.org/en/racism/international-decade-african-descent. 7/17