First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly launched a 12-week public consultation on a draft Framework for Race Relations and its delivery plan.

The framework sets out a strategy for racial equality beyond 2025. It follows the Racial Equality Strategy from 2015 to 2025 and draws from stakeholder input.

O’Neill said the framework supports a society where people feel respected and valued, with equality, fairness and justice central. She added it guides future work toward a place where diversity is valued and discrimination absent.

Little-Pengelly stated everyone in Northern Ireland, regardless of race or ethnicity, should thrive, contribute and belong. She called the framework a strategic push to achieve that.

The consultation lets the public influence the final strategy to meet diverse society needs.