August 31 is observed as the International Day of African Descent. Established by the United Nations in 2020, this day aims to promote the rich cultural heritage, diverse cultures, and invaluable contributions of African-origin peoples to the world, while also drawing attention to the serious challenges they face, such as discrimination, injustice, and inequality, and advocating for the protection of their fundamental human rights. The observance of August 31 is a significant step toward ensuring the rights and freedoms of not only African-origin peoples but humanity as a whole, according to the statement issued by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), Azernews reports citing Azertag.