From Marginalization to Integration: Racial Agenda in the UN, the 2030 Agenda and Brazil’s Proposal of SDG 18 for Racial Equality

The issue of racial equality, historically marginalized on global, political, and social agendas, has experienced a significant emergence both on the international stage and in the Brazilian context. The UN has progressively embraced the racial agenda, albeit with some notable gaps, particularly in the 2030 Agenda. In Brazil, a movement of reemergence of the racial agenda has been observed, which has influenced the recent Brazilian proposal for an 18th SDG focused on racial equality. This dynamic reflects a global and national awakening to systemic racial inequalities and the urgency of more inclusive and representative approaches. This chapter examines the landscape within the UN system for racial issues and the marginalization of these agendas in the 2030 Agenda, as well as the emergence of racial discussion in the implementation of the SDGs in Brazil through civil initiatives and the first year of President Lula’s third term.