Barcelona is to host the fourth edition of UNESCO's 'Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination'. This significant event will take place from 9 - 11 December at the International Convention Center of Barcelona (CCIB).

According to a 2023 report from the Discrimination Observatory, racism remains one of the leading causes of discrimination in Barcelona. Of the 631 reported incidents, nearly 50% were due to these types of violence. Almost a year after these alarming statistics were published, Barcelona will take center stage in the global fight against racism and discrimination.

The event aims to put the fight against racism at the forefront of international agendas and achieve concrete commitments from high-level representatives. The forum will gather over 1 000 participants, including political leaders, activists, and experts from around the world. Barcelona follows in the footsteps of cities that have previously hosted the forum: Paris (2020), Mexico City (2022), and São Paulo (2023).

Over this 3-day event, various forms of discrimination will be addressed, with special attention paid to the rise of extremism, hate speech, and fake news worldwide. The forum will also delve into the crucial issues of racial equity, gender equality, peace, justice, and inclusive policy-making.

Among its main goals, the forum aims to mobilise states to develop concrete solutions to end discrimination, such as building an international network of stakeholders working to overcome barriers to racial equity and justice. The full agenda will be published in due course.

Finally, the event represents a unique opportunity to reinforce Spain's image as a leader in the field of anti-racism, highlighting the regulatory advances made in recent years in pursuit of real and effective equality for citizens, such as Law 15/2022 for equal treatment and non-discrimination and the new Strategic Framework for Citizenship and Inclusion against Racism and Xenophobia (2023-2027), launched last year.