International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
In 1994, the General Assembly decided that the International Day
of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every
year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous
People (Resolution 49/214 of 23 December). The date marks
the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on
Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights.
The UN General Assembly had proclaimed 1993 the International
Year of the World's Indigenous People, and the same year, the
Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of the World's Indigenous
People, starting on 10 December 1994 (Resolution 48/163). The goal of the First Decade
was to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems
faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the
environment, development, education and health.
In 2004, the UN General Assembly proclaimed a Second
International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples through Resolution
59/174. The goal of the Second Decade is to further the
"strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of
problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture,
education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and
economic development, by means of action-oriented programs and
specific projects, increase technical assistance, and relevant
standard-setting activities".
9 August 2006
The 12th commemoration of the International Day of the World's
Indigenous People will be on Wednesday 9 of August 2006 at UN
Headquarters in New York, organized by the Secretariat of the
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues DSDP/DESA and the NGO Committee
on the Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
There will be statements delivered on behalf of the
Secretary-General, USG/DESA, the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues and others.
A panel discussion entitled: “Indigenous Peoples: human
rights, dignity and development with identity", a screening of the
film “Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations”, as well as a
cultural performance will take place from 2:30pm to 6pm. at the Dag
Hammarskjold Library Auditorium.
Those who wish to attend the panel discussion but do not hold UN
grounds passes must confirm their participation by sending an email
to: tribal.link@lycos.com by noon of 1 August indicating your name,
affiliation and contact information. After successfully registering,
participants should pick up their passes at the UN Visitors' Lobby
from 1:15pm until 2:30pm on August 9.
This commemoration is an afternoon event and the Secretariat of
the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues does not issue any
invitation letters for participation in this event.
Representatives of Member States, UN Agencies, indigenous
peoples', other non-governmental organizations and the media are
invited to attend.
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