Barcelona is set to reinforce its commitment to tackling racial injustice by hosting a major international forum on May 18 and 19. The event, organised in collaboration with the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) and supported by UNESCO, will bring together city leaders from across the globe to discuss urban strategies for promoting racial equality.
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Under the banner ‘The leadership of cities for racial justice’, the two-day summit will also serve as the platform for Barcelona to launch its own ambitious, decade-long Anti-racist Plan for 2026-2036. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced this on Friday, March 20, 2026, during a municipal event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In a symbolic gesture, an anti-racist banner was unfurled on the façade of the City Hall in Plaça de Sant Jaume for the first time. Sara Belbeida, the Councillor for Democratic Innovation, highlighted the significance of the act. “It is very necessary for the administration to convey to the public that we are anti-racist,” she stated.
A New Municipal Roadmap
The centrepiece of Barcelona’s forum presentation will be its Anti-racist Plan 2026-2036. Mayor Collboni described the initiative as a foundational step for the city’s public policy. He told attendees at the announcement, “This plan will be the first instrument that Barcelona has to fight racism all together.”
The plan will provide a comprehensive roadmap for all municipal departments over the next ten years. According to local media outlet betevé, its goal is to embed anti-racist principles into the city’s governance and public services, ensuring a structured and unified approach.
The May forum builds on momentum from previous international gatherings, particularly the IV UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, held in Barcelona in late 2024. This upcoming event will advance cooperation between cities, states, and international bodies within the Global Alliance against Racism and Discrimination, an initiative born from that earlier forum.
A Stand Against Rising Intolerance
During his address, Mayor Collboni adopted a firm stance, advocating for “maximum belligerence against racists and against racism.” He stressed the responsibility of public institutions to counter the rise of hate speech and political ideologies using racism as a core tenet.
Collboni specifically referenced the international political climate, noting the normalisation of far-right positions by some governments. This trend, he argued, compels cities to strengthen their role as guarantors of coexistence and equality. The mayor called for local authorities to champion a robust, openly anti-racist counter-narrative.
The city’s commitment comes as discrimination and hate speech remain prominent. Recent Barcelona events, such as the sentencing of a man for racist harassment, underscore the local relevance of these international efforts. The forum aims to position Barcelona as a European benchmark for building more inclusive and equitable societies, as detailed by El Periódico.
Following the mayor’s speech, Councillor Belbeida, alongside representatives from social and anti-racist organisations, read a unified manifesto. The document called for a firm response to discrimination and urged citizens not to ignore the increasing prevalence of hate speech in public discourse.
