Record Number of Countries Boycott UN Event Marking 25 Years Since Durban Conference

More than 40 countries boycotted a United Nations event this week marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Durban Conference, according to Israel’s delegation to the UN.

The figure represents the largest boycott of a Durban-related UN event to date. In 2021, 38 countries stayed away from the conference’s 20th anniversary commemoration.

The UN held Monday’s meeting at its headquarters in New York to reaffirm the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The organization describes the document as a global framework for combating racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.

Israel had urged countries not to attend the anniversary event. The Foreign Ministry carried out a diplomatic campaign ahead of the meeting, arguing that the UN should not commemorate a conference that Israel says became a platform for antisemitism and hostility toward the Jewish state.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said the size of the boycott showed that more countries were distancing themselves from Durban’s legacy.

“The fight against racism must never become a vehicle for antisemitism or for singling out the Jewish state,” Danon said.

The original World Conference Against Racism took place in Durban, South Africa, in 2001.

Israel and the United States withdrew from the conference before it ended. Then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the conference had included “hateful language” and had singled out Israel for condemnation.

Much of the criticism also centered on a parallel NGO forum held alongside the official conference. Jewish organizations and other participants reported widespread antisemitic material and rhetoric at the gathering.

However, the final Durban Declaration also addressed a broad range of issues involving racism, slavery, colonialism, discrimination and the treatment of minorities. The UN continues to present it as an important international framework for fighting racial discrimination.

At Monday’s meeting, UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman called on governments to renew efforts against racism and discrimination. He said the anniversary should lead to practical measures, including stronger laws, national action plans and improved protection for victims.

The boycott surpassed participation withdrawals from previous Durban-related meetings. Israel’s UN delegation said the record number reflected growing opposition to continued UN commemorations of the 2001 conference.