The Baku Initiative Group has been recognised in a UN report as the only NGO among global civil society actors advocating for decolonisation and island sovereignty.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent has cited the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) for its work promoting decolonisation and the rights of small island peoples.
Published ahead of the UN’s 2025 programme of action, the report includes BIG as the sole non-governmental organisation highlighted among global civil society efforts in this field.
BIG had submitted its own activities report to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in May 2025, detailing events held under the UN decade framework.
The group’s listed contributions included a 21 January 2025 international conference titled "Independence of Réunion Island: Reassessing France’s Colonial Legacy and the Path to Sovereignty", and a media tour from 24–26 February involving journalists from territories under French and Dutch colonial rule.
Another major event cited was the "Decolonisation: The Silent Revolution" conference, held on 15 April at the UN Headquarters in New York. This was registered as an official side event of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent’s fourth session.
These events, the report notes, have played a key role in raising international awareness of decolonisation and human rights. BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov and representatives from non-self-governing territories also addressed the UN General Assembly during the Forum’s session.
In addition to these engagements, BIG launched a petition campaign and formal appeal titled "Reparations: Confronting the Colonial Legacy", calling for accountability from former colonial powers. The documents denounced efforts to evade responsibility for historical injustices and asserted that reparations represent not only a legal imperative but a moral obligation rooted in justice and human dignity.
The mention in the Secretary-General’s report, BIG said, confirms its role as a trusted international partner and a significant platform for amplifying the voices of colonised peoples.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported...
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footag...
Türkiye welcomed Armenia's parliamentary election result on Monday, urging Yerevan to take "bolder steps" towards regional peace and diplomatic norma...
A Paris court has dismissed criminal charges against New Caledonian pro-independence leader Christian Téin, ending a high-profile case that drew inte...
Apple has unveiled a long-awaited upgrade to Siri, aiming to close the gap with technology rivals and emerging artificial intelligence firms in an inc...
Türkiye welcomed Armenia's parliamentary election result on Monday, urging Yerevan to take "bolder steps" towards regional peace and diplomatic normalisation.
Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed the Istanbul Declaration on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to stronger regional cooperation, connectivity and stability across the South Caucasus.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended pending a vote by member states on whether he should be removed from office, following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
A Paris court has dismissed criminal charges against New Caledonian pro-independence leader Christian Téin, ending a high-profile case that drew international attention and renewed scrutiny of France’s handling of independence movements in its overseas territories.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region killed a pregnant woman and two other people, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday, as renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war continued.
At least 37 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck the southern Philippines, as rescuers continued searching a collapsed commercial building for survivors in General Santos on Tuesday.
The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has accused the U.S. of preventing Iranian supporters from attending the country's World Cup matches after its allocation of tickets was withdrawn just days before the tournament begins.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment