France, March 26 -- In a move advocates hailed as a step towards healing and possible reparations, the resolution was adopted to applause by a vote of 123 in favour.

The United States, Israel and Argentina opposed the measure.

Ghana's President John Mahama, one of the African Union's most vocal supporters of slavery reparations, was at the UN headquarters in New York to support the vote.

"Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice," said Mahama. "The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting."

Transatlantic cruise to turn spotlight on Brazil-Angola slavery past

Despite being non-binding, the resolution goes beyond simple acknowledgment a...