UN signs host country agreement with South Africa ahead of world racism conference

Putting the final touches in preparation for the upcoming world anti-racism conference, the United Nations today signed an accord with the host country, South Africa, to outline legal responsibilities for the event.

The host country agreement for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was signed in Geneva by South African Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, who is the Secretary-General of the Conference. The forum will take place in Durban from 31 August to 7 September 2001.

The host country contract, which defines the responsibilities related to the holding of the conference, was the last official requirement before participants arrive for the largest international anti-racism congress ever.