09 August 2006

Today UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, joins others in commemorating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. My colleagues at UNFPA and I welcome the adoption in June of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the Human Rights Council. This step constitutes a milestone for the protection of their human rights. Once adopted by the General Assembly, the Declaration will serve as a roadmap for agencies such as UNFPA to follow in our programmes at country level, and most importantly at the community level where indigenous peoples live.

UNFPA is pleased to note important advances on a range of issues by indigenous peoples during the last decade. These advances include international recognition of their right to preserve their own culture and traditional knowledge and their role in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; national frameworks and norms; and increased participation in national and regional political processes. However, while progress has been made in some areas, many challenges and obstacles still remain.

Of particular concern to UNFPA are the thousands of indigenous women who are victims of gender-based violence in need of legal protection and health services, the high maternal mortality rates of indigenous women, and the lack of information on sexual and reproductive health and development opportunities for indigenous adolescents and youth. UNFPA is committed to working with indigenous peoples to address these issues.

On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let us all join hands to support the human rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples, including their right to self-determination, and to development in accordance with their aspirations and needs.

__________________________________________________________