International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023

On 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided, in its resolution 49/214, that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

The International Day observance will take place online on Wednesday, 9 August 2023.

This year’s theme is: Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.

• Climate Action and the Green Transition
• Mobilizing for Justice
• Intergenerational connections

To read the concept note click here. 

Check the Tentative Programme here.

Virtual Commemoration on 9 August 2023 - Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination

(09-10:30am EST/New York time)

Interpretation will be available in English and Spanish.

Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/Indigenous23

Event Format 

The virtual commemoration will include an opening segment with a traditional ceremony, followed by a pre-recorded statement from UN high level officials and a virtual statement from the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The interactive dialogue segment will include the participation of invited speakers and a moderator. Speakers will share their expertise and experience from their Indigenous Peoples’ communities in the role of Indigenous youth in exercising self-determination in the context of climate action and the green transition; mobilizing for justice; and intergenerational connections.

Invited speakers

• Traditional Opening Ceremony - conducted by Mr Joe Baker (Lenape)
• Video message by Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth
• Message by Mr Dario Jose Mejía Montalvo, UNPFII Chairperson

Panel members

• Ms Josefa Tauli (Ibaloi-Kankanaey Igorot)
• Ms Autumn Adams (Yakama)
• Mr Luis Acosta (Nasa)
• Moderator: Ms Aminatu Gambo Samira (Mbororo-Fulani)
• Commentary on youth engagement: Ms Rosa-Máren Juuso (Saami)
• Closing remarks by Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, Her Excellency Leonor Zalabata Torres (Arhuaco)

Messages on the Occasion of the International Day 

• Statement by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres | AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH 
• Statement by UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. José Francisco Calí Tzay EN 
• Statement by the Special Adviser to the SG on Addressing Racism in the Workplace, Ms. Mojankunyane Gumbi EN
• Statement by Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, David Cooper EN | video statement
• Statement by President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario EN 
• Statement by Director General of the World Intellectual Property (WIPO), Mr Daren Tang EN | ES 
• Statement by Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Ms Valerie Guarnieri video message

Opportunities and Resources for Indigenous Youth

Resources for Indigenous Youth | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) (un.org)

Outreach and Media

News Items

• IFAD: Indigenous Youth are Shaping our World EN
• IFAD: Free, Prior and Informed Consent: Applying the principle to on-the-ground action EN
• CBD: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2023 EN
• FIFA: FIFA and United Nations Join Together to Celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples EN
• International Land Coalition: Launch of the Indigenous Peoples Platform EN
• OHCHR: Advancing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples EN
• OSCE: Anti-Indigenous Hate Crimes EN | RU
• WFP: Indigenous Peoples' Day: Local Knowledge and Young People are Driving Change EN
• WFP Video 
• WIPO: Wakangay Santi, the Young Indigenous Kichwa Woman from the Ecuadorian Amazon who Inspires through her Community Business EN
• World Bank: Indigenous Youth on Cultural Identity and a Livable Planet EN
• World Bank: Empowering Indigenous Peoples to Protect Forests EN
• World Bank: Indigenous Youth Train to Save the Earth by Sharing Knowledge EN | ES
• UNDP: Announcement of Equator Prize Winners EN
• UNDP: Fighting for their Future EN
• UNDP Cacao, Reforestation and Restoration EN
• UNEP: As Climate Crisis Alters their Lands, Indigenous Peoples turn to the Courts EN 
• UN Stories EN

Other Webinars & Events

• WHO Webinar: Indigenous Peoples’ leadership for integrated holistic approaches to health and well-being

Digital comms assets

For all digital communications assets and key messages on the International Day 2023, you can check out our Trello board: United Nations and Indigenous Peoples - outreach material from across the UN | Trello