Racial, disability and other kinds of discrimination are to be targeted in cities across Latin America and the Caribbean in a wide-ranging initiative by the Coalition of Latin American and Caribbean Cities against Racism.

The group founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), gave the green light on Wednesday to a special action plan aimed at tackling 10 types of abuse based on xenophobia, race, gender, health and disabilities, among others.

Governors, mayors and senior municipal officials from 40 cities across the region met here to formally sign the plan. These leaders will have the responsibility of making sure the anti-discrimination drive achieves its aims.

Individual initiatives will be launched after city leaders have spoken to non-governmental organizations, education centers, civil associations, unions and other institutions.

The Latin American and Caribbean group is a member of UNESCO's International Coalition of Cities United against Racism, which was set up in 2004 as part of a worldwide strategy to fight discrimination.

Source: Xinhua