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The UN General Assembly met on Monday to re-affirm its commitment to increase public awareness about the transatlantic slave trade. Spanning over a 400 year period, the transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in history, says the UN. The President of the General Assembly, John Ashe, recalled the numerous initiatives at the national and international levels dedicated to remembering and honouring the victims. He quoted two recent reports by the Secretary-General highlighting the educational outreach campaigns currently in place. "Through their various efforts, Member States, UN agencies and civil society partners have celebrated the indomitable spirit of the indomitable spirit of the victims of a tragedy that continues to be inflicted upon numerous persons today, albeit in more subtle forms, including social and economic inequality, hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice." Mr. Ashe made the remarks during a General Assembly session to commemorate the 206th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The 2013 commemorative activities also include the recognition of contributions that enslaved people and their descendants made to the societies that forced them into bondage.