A/HRC/RES/48/18 Recognizing also the importance of the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and emphasizing the need to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of existing follow-up mechanisms, and of increasing public awareness of and support for it, Noting the efforts made at the international, regional and national levels, welcoming the progress made since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in the implementation of its provisions, and welcoming with appreciation all the positive steps and successful initiatives taken by States towards its effective and full implementation, including constitutional and legislative reforms, the adoption of national action plans and other national policies and measures, participation in and support for its follow-up mechanisms, the mainstreaming of racial equality in international forums and the promotion of regional, international and multi-stakeholder initiatives in matters relating to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Welcoming the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action during the holding of a high-level meeting by the General Assembly, at the level of Heads of State and Government, on the theme “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent” on 22 September 2021, during which the Assembly adopted a political declaration to mobilize political will for the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and its follow-up processes,1 Recalling all previous Human Rights Council resolutions on the comprehensive follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and the International Decade for People of African Descent, Recalling also that, in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, States acknowledged that, in many parts of the world, people face racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Expressing deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and at instances of religious intolerance, discrimination and violence, inter alia the increasing number of acts of violence directed against individuals, and recalling that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action calls upon States, in opposing all forms of racism, to recognize the need to counter antisemitism, anti-Arabism and Islamophobia worldwide, and urges all States to take effective measures to prevent the emergence of movements based on racism and discriminatory ideas concerning these communities, Recalling that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are manifested on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, and that victims can suffer from multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination based on other related grounds, such as sex, language, religion, disability, political or other opinion, social origin, property, birth or other status, Reiterating that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities can be compounded by – and themselves compound – racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and contribute to the persistence of racist attitudes and practices that in turn generate more poverty, and acknowledging in this regard that it is essential that integrated, intersecting and holistic approaches be adopted to ensure the effectiveness of policies and other measures against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Expressing concern at the loss of life and livelihoods and the disruption to economies and societies by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights around the world, disproportionately affecting certain individuals, including those facing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, which the pandemic has highlighted and exposed, including underlying deep and long-standing 1 2 See General Assembly resolution 76/1.