Observed annually on 21 March, IDERD provides an opportunity for the community to come together to speak out against all forms of racial discrimination. This year, the EOC mobilised signatories of the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers (Charter) and schools participating in the Racially Friendly Campus Recognition Scheme to promote the message of racial equality and non-discrimination through various online and offline activities. The EOC also launched a social media kit to encourage the wider community to take meaningful action on IDERD.

EOC Chairperson Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau said “A multicultural and racially inclusive society is not just beneficial for people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds – it is also essential for maintaining Hong Kong as an attractive destination for investment, business, and tourism. By engaging in cross-cultural dialogue, creating inclusive environments, and fostering a diverse workforce, we can all contribute to engendering a society where everyone, regardless of their backgrounds, is welcomed, respected, and valued.”

Separately, the EOC hosted a signing ceremony on 18 March 2025 to welcome 14 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the SME Sustainability Society as the newest signatories of the Charter. Their participation has brought the total number of companies making a public pledge to foster multicultural and inclusive workplaces to nearly 520.

During the signing ceremony, the EOC also released the findings from the second round of Advanced Annual Reviews submitted by Charter signatories. The report highlighted a significant growth in the number of SMEs participating in the review, demonstrating that even smaller enterprises and organisations are both capable of and willing to implement racially inclusive practices and policies.

• Read the IDERD press release
• Read the Advanced Annual Reviews report