United Nations Radio

Racism continues to plague too many individuals, communities and societies the world over.

This despite significant progress since the General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In a message marking the occasion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says this year, the Day offers an opportunity to address the problem globally.

This, as preparations continue for the 2009 review of actions taken since the World Conference against racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance adopted its declaration and Programme of Action in 2001.

The Secretary-General says "racial discrimination is a concern to all peoples and countries."

And he called on all countries and civil society to make constructive use of the time between now and the formal review process to work out their differences so that "we can seize this opening to boost our collective efforts to stamp out racism."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.