International Day of Indigenous Peoples

• 09 Aug 2023

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.

Key Points

• Theme: Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.
• Origin: This date, adopted in December 1994 by UN General Assembly resolution 49/214, marks the date ofthe first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Geneva in 1982.
• Global Presence: Indigenous Peoples have a presence in various corners of the globe, owning, occupying, or utilizing about 22% of the world's land.
• This diverse group, numbering between 370-500 million, embodies a substantial portion of the world's cultural richness.
• They speak the majority of the planet's 7,000 languages and embody around 5,000 distinct cultures.
• Shared Challenges: Despite their cultural diversity, Indigenous Peoples face common challenges concerning the protection of their distinct rights.
• Many continue to grapple with issues like marginalization, dire poverty, and violations of their human rights.
• UNESCO's Supportive Role: Recognizing their vital role in maintaining global cultural and biological diversity, UNESCO prioritizes the needs of Indigenous Peoples in its initiatives.
• Fostering Diversity: UNESCO's efforts are aimed at empowering Indigenous Peoples to address their unique challenges while safeguarding the world's diverse cultural and biological landscapes.