Desirée Cormier Smith, the United States Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, embarked on a visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, from March 25 to 27.
During her visit, she will deliver opening remarks on behalf of the United States at the OSCE High Commission for National Minorities’ expert roundtable focusing on the effective participation of national minorities in social and economic life.
Accompanied by EPA Principal Deputy Administrator Theresa Segovia, Special Representative Cormier Smith will engage with local government officials and civil society leaders, including members of marginalized racial and ethnic communities such as the Karaite, Tatar, Jewish, and Roma communities.
Discussions will revolve around the preservation of cultural traditions, economic empowerment, and strategies to enhance social cohesion and political integration.
The United States reaffirms its commitment to promoting the human rights of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities globally, including people of African descent.
The visit underscores efforts to combat systemic racism, antisemitism, discrimination, and xenophobia on a global scale through collaboration and partnership building.
