International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2006 | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

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".

The 12th commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People was held 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 were 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 took place from 2:30pm to 6pm. at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium.

Panelists:

Phrang Roy (IFAD) Statement

Wilton Littlechild (UNPFII)
Romy Tincopa (Permanent Mission of Peru to the UN)
Q'orianka Kilcher (Actress) Statement

Programme of Activities

Press Release

Media Advisory

Messages of the Day, 9 August, 2006

Message of Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message by Juan Somavia, Director General of the International Labour Office, on the occasion of the International Day for the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Mr. Richard Kinley, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on the occasion of the International Day of the World´s Indigenous Peoples AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Ms. Noleen Heyzer, Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women on the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Mr. José Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World´s Indigenous Peoples, on the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from the United Nations Environment Programme, on the occasion of the International Day for the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Press Release: The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Hails the Day of the World´s Indigenous Peoples AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Statement on the occasion of the International Day of the World´s Indigenous Peoples, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH
Message from Ms. Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF on the occasion of the International Day of the World´s Indigenous People AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH