Land Rights of People of African Descent

The 39th session of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, taking place from 30 November to 3 December 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York, will focus on the land rights of people of African descent. The session will examine the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery, colonialism, racial discrimination and land dispossession, as well as the challenges communities face in securing access to, ownership and control over their lands and natural resources. Discussions will address legal recognition and protection of individual and collective land rights, forced displacement, development projects, environmental and climate justice, community participation, and reparatory justice. The session aims to identify good practices and formulate concrete recommendations to strengthen the protection of land rights and advance racial justice for people of African descent.