The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs Mary Robinson has hailed the successful completion of the world congress against racism which ended this evening after a one day delay.
"It is a new hope for millions of people to ensure their dignity," said Mrs Robinson. "We now have a document and a programme of action that is new and different. It has not been agreed upon before by the international community."
At a press conference this evening she also said that "the real challenge now lies on nation governments" to implement the programme of action.
"The great success is that there are no brackets around what has been agreed," said the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and conference president, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Dr Zuma also said at the press conference that the "remarkable compromise" was reached on the most contentious issues of the Middle East and legacy of the past with a "spirit of give and take", and that it was "a tribute to everybody".
"The struggle against racism is a long one... It is amazing that in spite of all the difficulties at the conference people remained optimistic," she said.