A/HRC/45/47 C. Consult and collaborate with people of African descent, including through youth engagement 78. The process of implementing the Decade is crucial to the implementation of the activities themselves. It is important that States assist civil society in participating in meetings, consultations and activities on the Decade at the national, regional and international levels. States, regional organizations and other stakeholders are specifically called upon to facilitate the participation of civil society from their respective countries and regions. 60 79. Moreover, all stakeholders should support and create the civic space for young people to connect, contribute and reach out to their peers around the world about the Decade. 80. The General Assembly has urged States to ensure that activities and objectives for the Decade are planned and implemented in accordance with paragraph 10 of the programme of activities and on the basis of full consultation and collaboration with people of African descent.61 It is important that civil society be more consciously and meaningfully involved in implementing the Decade. It is imperative that young people and women be involved and consulted on all activities for the Decade going forward. D. Discuss accountability and reparatory justice 81. The international community is increasingly acknowledging the historical linkages between slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and racial discrimination against people of African descent. Formal apologies, truth-telling processes and reparations are some means of acknowledging and addressing these manifestations of racism today. If requested, OHCHR stands ready, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society representatives of African descent, to support such discussions and dialogue on accountability and reparatory justice on issues relating to people of African descent as a step towards eradicating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. E. Establish the modalities for the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent 82. The High Commissioner, who is the Coordinator of the Decade, is of the view that the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent should serve as a critical consultation mechanism for people of African descent on issues affecting their human rights. 62 The Permanent Forum should act as a platform enabling people of African descent to voice their views on the key thematic issues that directly affect them, including the implementation of the programme of activities for the Decade. It would accelerate the gains made by movements of people of African descent to date and add a focal point for action that would contribute to improving the situation of human rights of people of African descent. 83. The discussions on the Permanent Forum scheduled to be held during the seventyfourth session of the General Assembly have been delayed by a lack of agreement about its modalities and by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the holding of intergovernmental meetings. 84. Nevertheless, States, with input from civil society representatives of African descent, should agree on the modalities, format and substantive and procedural aspects of the Permanent Forum, to which OHCHR will provide the necessary technical and secretariat support. In that regard, States should also ensure that the Permanent Forum is sufficiently funded and staffed. 60 61 62 General Assembly resolution 74/137, para. 14. General Assembly resolution 69/16, para. 2. General Assembly resolution 74/137, para. 13. 15