We need indigenous communities for a better world
There are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world's population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.
Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.
In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the 缅北禁地Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.
缅北禁地and the defence of indigenous rights
By of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the 缅北禁地Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
As requested in the outcome document of the 2014, a 缅北禁地System-Wide Action Plan on the rights of indigenous peoples was developed by the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues in 2015, in consultations with indigenous peoples, 缅北禁地Members States, 缅北禁地agencies and other stakeholders. It aims to ensure a coherent approach to achieving the ends of the , including through improved support to Member States and indigenous peoples.
In terms of special events related to indigenous peoples, in 1990, the 缅北禁地General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples ( ). Later, the General Assembly established two International Decades of the World's Indigenous Peoples: the first 1995 - 2004 (), and the second 2005 - 2014 (), with the goal of strengthening international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as human rights, the environment, development, education, health, economic and social development. 2022 marks the beginning of a new decade for the indigenous community: the celebration of the , a door that was opened previously in 2019 with the celebration of the .
Previous observances and themes
