Our Work
The People of African Descent Stakeholder Group (PAD SG) works to ensure that the priorities, rights, and lived realities of People of African descent are integrated into all levels of sustainable development policymaking—globally, regionally, and nationally.
We build on a legacy of global anti-racist struggle and engage with the United Nations and other international mechanisms to advance the goals of recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent.
Our Strategic Focus
PAD SG works across multiple platforms and processes to:
- Monitor and influence the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, and related frameworks.
- Produce and disseminate evidence-based policy inputs, advocacy materials, and thematic reports.
- Facilitate participation of African descent civil society in UN intergovernmental spaces, such as the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Financing for Development Framework(FfD), and other processes.
- Ensure representation in regional bodies, including UN Regional Economic Commissions.
- Coordinate capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and solidarity across regions and generations.
Key Thematic Areas
Our work is organized around core Sub-Committees, each focusing on a strategic area:
Nominations & Elections
Manages the transparent and inclusive selection of PAD SG leadership, focal points, and representatives.
Membership
Leads outreach to organizations and individuals, manages the membership database, and facilitates onboarding.
Research & Analysis
Generates knowledge and thematic analysis on African descent issues in global development, including gender, human rights health, migration, climate justice, digital rights, and reparations, and others.
Advocacy
Coordinates joint statements, UN submissions, and campaigns to ensure African descent perspectives are front and center in global decision-making.
Communications & Outreach
Leads social media, website updates, newsletters, event publicity, and inter-stakeholder visibility efforts.
Resource Mobilization & Management
Identifies funding opportunities, manages financial resources, and ensures accountability for PAD SG operations and representation.
Youth Working Group
The Youth Working Group is a vital arm of PAD SG that empowers African descent youth from across the globe to participate in sustainable development and racial justice efforts.
This space:
- Amplifies the voices and leadership of African descent youth in UN processes.
- Co-creates strategies around issues like education, employment, climate, digital inclusion, and human rights.
- Leads youth-focused campaigns and contributes to the PAD SG’s advocacy, communications, and events.
- Facilitates intergenerational dialogue and youth mentorship across regions.
“We are not the future. We are the present shaping the world we deserve.”
PAD SG Youth Working Group
Regional Engagement
PAD SG encompasses Regional Focal Points in:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Asia & the Pacific
- SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa)
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- Oceania
- Europe and Northern America
These focal points connect national and local African descent organizations to regional and international policy processes. They ensure:
- Meaningful grassroots participation in UN Regional Commissions
- Ongoing feedback loops between communities and global decision-making
- Region-specific task forces and events that reflect local realities
United Nations Engagement
PAD SG is an officially recognized participant in the Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism (MGoS CM) and liaises directly with the UN DESA and other processes and campaigns.
Our representatives serve in New York, Geneva, and Nairobi, ensuring institutional presence and continuous dialogue with UN bodies.
Events and Submissions
PAD SG coordinates and contributes to:
- The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF): Position papers, oral statements, and side events
- CSW, UNGA, FFD, World Social Summit, and other processes
- Campaigns marking Durban anniversaries, International Days, and regional summits