King Willem-Alexander attends UNESCO Global Summit on Racism, Discrimination and Reparatory Justice

THE HAGUE--King Willem-Alexander attended the opening of the fifth UNESCO Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination in The Hague on Thursday, October 29, as international leaders, government representatives, researchers and civil society organizations gathered to examine how countries can move beyond promises of equality toward measurable action against racism and discrimination.

The two-day summit, hosted by UNESCO in partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is also placing particular attention on reparatory justice, the continuing consequences of slavery and colonialism, and the responsibility of governments to address historical and institutional inequalities.

The international gathering, taking place October 29 and 30 at the World Forum in The Hague, is being held under the theme "From Commitment to Accountability: Change the System, Change the Future." Approximately 1,500 participants from more than 80 countries were expected to attend, including ministers, representatives of United Nations organizations, academics, human rights advocates, young leaders and policymakers. Organizers scheduled approximately 150 speakers and 18 thematic breakout sessions to examine ways of translating international commitments into practical policies and measurable results.

King Willem-Alexander participated in the plenary opening and was scheduled to engage with delegates from different regions of the world about the challenges countries face in addressing racism and discrimination. His participation comes as the Netherlands continues examining its own historical involvement in slavery and colonialism, including the consequences for Caribbean societies that were formerly or remain connected to the Dutch Kingdom.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten delivered the opening address, emphasizing that racism and discrimination remain significant problems in the Netherlands despite longstanding commitments to equality. He pointed to figures indicating that approximately 1.6 million people experience discrimination and racism in their daily lives, including in employment, healthcare, housing and education.

Jetten acknowledged that governments must go beyond recognizing inequalities and demonstrate whether their policies are producing meaningful change.

"We need to render account for our actions and the results we achieve," the Prime Minister told participants.

Summit focuses on systemic discrimination and accountability

The UNESCO forum is designed to bring governments and civil society together to examine why discrimination persists despite international agreements, national legislation and decades of public commitments to equality.

Discussions are addressing structural racism, economic inequality, discriminatory practices within institutions, racial profiling, education, media representation, religious discrimination and the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The program also includes a ministerial gathering, an international session involving mayors and city representatives, and discussions examining how governments can improve their systems for monitoring discrimination and evaluating corrective measures.

A central concern is whether institutions have effective mechanisms to identify unequal treatment, investigate discriminatory practices and demonstrate that corrective policies are making a difference in people's everyday lives.

Rabin Baldewsingh, the Netherlands' National Coordinator Against Discrimination and Racism, has emphasized that the conference should produce practical results rather than another series of international commitments.

The National Coordinator's office is co-organizing the event on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In outlining the summit's objectives, Baldewsingh explained that the emphasis is on implementation, accountability and structural change, with governments and institutions expected to move from stated intentions to demonstrable results.

Reparatory justice receives dedicated attention

One of the summit's most significant areas of discussion concerns reparatory justice and the continuing effects of slavery, colonialism and historical discrimination.

UNESCO has included reparatory justice as a dedicated component of the 2026 forum, bringing together international experts and policymakers to examine the relationship between historical responsibility and present-day inequalities.

The organization is also advancing the development of a Reparatory Justice Toolkit intended to provide governments and other institutions with practical guidance for approaching historical injustices and developing appropriate responses.

The initiative is particularly relevant to Caribbean countries and territories, where demands for reparations from former colonial powers have become an increasingly prominent part of regional discussions concerning historical accountability, education, economic development and institutional reform.

For St. Maarten and other Caribbean parts of the Dutch Kingdom, the discussions intersect with ongoing questions about the legacy of Dutch colonialism, the recognition of slavery's consequences and the measures necessary to address historical inequalities.

The forum itself does not constitute a decision by the Dutch government to provide financial reparations, nor has UNESCO announced a binding international settlement. Rather, the discussions are intended to develop approaches that governments and institutions can use when examining claims for reparatory justice.

Dutch Prime Minister addresses slavery apology and recovery measures

During his opening address, Jetten also reflected on the Netherlands' historical responsibility for slavery and the actions undertaken since the Dutch government's formal apology in December 2022.

He said the government has allocated 200 million euros for initiatives connected to the history of slavery and is working with affected communities on a national roadmap toward recovery. Those consultations include communities throughout the Dutch Kingdom and former Dutch colonies.

The Prime Minister also referred to efforts to strengthen education about slavery and colonialism and to examine the origins of cultural artifacts held by Dutch institutions.

He noted that the Netherlands has returned cultural objects to Nigeria, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and continues working with other countries on questions involving cultural heritage and historical ownership.

The broader message of his address was that acknowledging past injustices, although important, does not eliminate the responsibility to address their continuing consequences.

Jetten also expressed concern about increasing hostility toward minority communities and the weakening of institutions established to protect human rights. He urged governments, academics and civil society organizations to work together to defend equality and ensure that policy commitments are followed by measurable action.

International forum builds on previous conferences

The UNESCO Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination was established in 2021 and has previously been hosted in Paris, Mexico City, São Paulo and Barcelona.

Over successive editions, the gathering has developed into an international platform for exchanging research, examining government policies and strengthening cooperation between organizations working to combat discrimination.

Among the initiatives developed through the forum are the Global Alliance Against Racism and Discriminations and an international network of government officials responsible for anti-racism policies.

UNESCO has also produced research examining the prevalence and consequences of discrimination worldwide, including how institutional practices, unequal access to opportunities and social exclusion contribute to persistent inequalities.

The 2026 gathering takes place during the United Nations' Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2025 to 2034. The decade places particular emphasis on recognition, justice and development for people of African descent, including confronting the continuing effects of slavery, colonialism and racial discrimination.

The summit also includes activities designed to involve younger generations, including educational sessions and opportunities for students to engage directly with international experts and policymakers.

With the Netherlands serving as host, the gathering places renewed attention on how commitments to equality are implemented within the Kingdom and internationally. The discussions on reparatory justice, institutional accountability and systemic discrimination are expected to contribute to UNESCO's continuing work on policies and practical measures aimed at achieving more equitable societies.

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