Racism and discrimination remain pressing global issues, as stark evidence shows their persistent and growing impact on societies worldwide. According to UNESCO’s newly launched Global Outlook on Racism and Discrimination, race accounts for 38% of reported discrimination cases globally, followed by sex and gender (33%) and ethnicity (20%). Alarmingly, 18% of cases involve physical attacks, underscoring the violence and harm many face daily. 

In parallel, data highlights persistent systemic inequalities: women are still 1.5 times more likely than men to be employed in low-paying jobs in G20 countries, and in 2024, only four women were elected presidents in 27 national elections, while 16 countries fielded no female candidates at all. These figures demonstrate the urgent need for action to dismantle intersecting forms of bias and inequality. 

Against this backdrop, UNESCO hosted the 4th Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination in Barcelona, uniting over 2,000 participants from 85 countries, 160 speakers, and 50,000 online attendees. This landmark event, organized in partnership with the City of Barcelona, the Spanish Ministry of Equality, and the Government of Catalonia, solidified its reputation as the leading platform to exchange expertise, foster inclusion, and inspire impactful policies. A highlight of the Forum was the launch of the Global Alliance against Racism and Discriminations. 

The Forum’s panels and sessions tackled various forms of discrimination, connecting specific expressions of racism to actionable solutions. For example: 

• Institutional and Structural Racism: Ministerial panels addressed systemic barriers in housing, education, and employment, emphasizing the importance of intersectional policies. 

• Hate Speech and Online Harassment: Experts explored innovative uses of AI to monitor and counter harmful narratives. 

• Gender and Leadership Gaps: The second volume of the Gender-Based Resilience Framework was presented, advocating for stronger representation of women in leadership roles. 

• Sports and Racism: UNESCO and the Barça Foundation launched the Fit for Life Network Against Racism, uniting athletes and organizations to combat discrimination in sports. 

• Ethical AI and Migration: Breakout sessions examined the ethics of AI, migration challenges, and the role of civil society in fostering inclusion. 

The Forum showcased concrete practices on benchmarking policies, legislative frameworks and public-private partnerships. The Forum not only spotlighted the challenges but also inspired solutions through diverse commitments. The Global Alliance against Racism and Discriminations, a coalition dedicated to promoting intersectional approaches, advancing legal frameworks, and holding governments accountable, marks a transformative step toward unifying efforts across sectors and regions. It will advance affirmative public policies and establish accountability measures. Furthermore, it calls for collaboration across sectors, including sports, climate justice, disability inclusion and reparatory justice, among others.