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.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European leaders in Copenhagen on Thursday, discussing the peace...
Israel’s interception of several vessels of the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza has sparked global reactions and even protests in some co...
The Israeli embassy in London has condemned the attack on a Synagogue in Manchester that left three people dead including the attacker and four others...
The Baku Initiative Group has been recognised in a UN report as the only NGO among global civil society actors advocating for decolonisation and islan...
Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on Wednesday, local residents said - around 48 hours after diplomatic and industry sourc...
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European leaders in Copenhagen on Thursday, discussing the peace process, energy cooperation and transport links.
Israel’s interception of several vessels of the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza has sparked global reactions and even protests in some countries as people condemn the act.
The Israeli embassy in London has condemned the attack on a Synagogue in Manchester that left three people dead including the attacker and four others injured on Thursday.
Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on Wednesday, local residents said - around 48 hours after diplomatic and industry sources said connectivity was abruptly cut on the orders of the Taliban administration.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 13 September with no tsunami threat, coming just weeks after the region endured a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake — the strongest since 1952.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
Israel’s interception of several vessels of the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza has sparked global reactions and even protests in some countries as people condemn the act.
The Israeli embassy in London has condemned the attack on a Synagogue in Manchester that left three people dead including the attacker and four others injured on Thursday.
Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on Wednesday, local residents said - around 48 hours after diplomatic and industry sources said connectivity was abruptly cut on the orders of the Taliban administration.
The Trump administration plans to halt federal funding of any organisation or government that supports work overseas related to gender identity or diversity, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing a U.S. official and non profit groups informed of the policy change.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment