Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has commended the passage of a landmark United Nations resolution declaring the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The initiative, led by Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, was endorsed by the General Assembly. President Lula da Silva described the resolution as a correction of history. He made these remarks during his address to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, USA.
The UN Resolution, A/RES/80/250, was adopted on March 25, 2026, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery. President Mahama, as African Union Champion on Reparations, tabled the resolution, which was co-sponsored by the African Union, Caribbean Community, and the African diaspora. The resolution was adopted with 123 votes in favour, three against, and 52 abstentions. It declared the transatlantic trade, which saw over 12.5 million Africans stolen over 400 years, as a crime defined by its scale, duration, and enduring consequences.
The resolution calls for reparatory justice, including formal apologies and restitution of looted cultural artefacts. President Mahama described the resolution as "a safeguard against forgetting" and against the erasure of Black history. The resolution is a significant step towards acknowledging the atrocities committed during the transatlantic slave trade. The Ghana-led resolution has been hailed as a major achievement in the fight against racism and oppression.
President Lula da Silva also welcomed the recent decision to correct the historical distortion of the world map. The "Correct the Map" resolution, adopted on September 5, encourages governments, schools, and technology companies to replace the 16th-century Mercator projection with the 2018 Equal Earth projection. This change aims to accurately represent the size of Africa, which is 14 times larger than Greenland. The resolution was sponsored by Togo and backed by all 54 African Union members.
The Brazilian President made his 10th appearance at the UN rostrum since 2003. He stated that this is undoubtedly the most critical moment for the United Nations. President Lula da Silva expressed his indignation at the UN's failure to rid humanity of the scourge of war. He warned that geopolitical tensions and a new arms race are threatening to transform regional conflicts into a conflagration of global proportions.
President Lula da Silva criticised the UN Security Council, citing its failure to fulfil its role. He called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to meet and act with responsibility. The Brazilian President emphasised the need for leadership and reconciliation of national interests with those of humanity. He stressed that war is not the continuation of politics by other means, but rather the complete breakdown of politics.
In conclusion, President Lula da Silva's address to the UN General Assembly highlighted the need for urgent action to address global challenges. The passage of the Ghana-led UN resolution on slavery and the correction of the world map are significant steps towards justice and accuracy. The Brazilian President's call for responsibility and leadership from the UN Security Council is a timely reminder of the need for collective action to address global problems.
Key points
- The UN resolution declares the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
- The resolution calls for reparatory justice, including formal apologies and restitution of looted cultural artefacts.
- The "Correct the Map" resolution aims to accurately represent the size of Africa, which is 14 times larger than Greenland.
