The 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) convenes at a critical juncture marked by intersecting global crises, climate change, economic instability, democratic backsliding, the consolidation of anti-gender narratives and policy agendas, systemic racism, and widening inequalities that continue to undermine progress toward the 2030 Agenda. For people of African descent, these challenges are compounded by historical and structural injustices rooted in colonial legacy, enslavement, and persistent racial discrimination, which remain insufficiently addressed in global development frameworks.
Under SDG 6, people of African descent continue to face disproportionate barriers to safe water and sanitation, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas, informal settlements, and regions affected by environmental racism. Addressing these inequities requires investments in inclusive, community-led water governance and disaggregated data systems. Additionally, these inequities affect the cultural and environmental practices of African-based religions, whose spiritual traditions are intrinsically linked to water and natural resources.
For SDG 7, a just energy transition must confront structural exclusion and energy poverty in access to clean and affordable energy. Afrodescendant communities, especially in the Global South, are often excluded from energy infrastructure investments and decision-making processes. Policies must prioritize decentralized renewable systems, equitable financing, and community ownership models.
Under SDG 9, inclusive industrialization and innovation must address racial disparities in access to technology, finance, and digital infrastructure. African descent entrepreneurs and innovators, especially women of African descent, face systemic barriers that limit participation in emerging economies, requiring targeted investment and anti-discriminatory frameworks.
For SDG 11, urban inequality disproportionately impacts People of African descent through spatial segregation, inadequate housing, and exposure to environmental hazards. Transformative action must include anti-racist urban planning, secure land tenure, and inclusive public services. Furthermore, it should promote the upgrading and risk-sensitive redevelopment of peripheral and underserved areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding, with a view to strengthening climate resilience and ensuring access to adequate and dignified housing.
Finally, SDG 17 reinforces the need for equitable and accountable partnerships. The PAD SG highlights its role as a mechanism for the participation of Afrodescendant civil society, advocating for co-creation, the strengthening of South –South cooperation, and the advancement of a more inclusive, representative global governance committed to racial justice.
Building on civil society priorities highlighted in global processes, PAD SG calls for strengthened multilateralism that explicitly addresses systemic racism as a barrier to sustainable development, ensuring that African descent communities are recognized as key agents of transformative change.