Panel preparing for world forum against racism makes progress on draft declaration

A committee laying the groundwork for the upcoming global conference against racism ended its two-week session today after completing work on the preamble to the draft declaration that will be adopted at the forum.

According to a UN spokesman, 125 countries took part in the second formal session of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The Conference will be held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September.

Jose Luiz Diaz, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in Geneva that 780 non-governmental organizations had been accredited so far to participate in the global forum. He noted that a "group of 21 countries" established last week would continue preparatory work from 5 to 15 June, including the consolidation of draft texts.

The Preparatory Committee will meet again from 30 July to 10 August.