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 Decade is to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health.

Monday August 9th 2004 the tenth annual commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People will be commemorated at United Nations Headquarters, in the Visitors' Lobby (First Avenue at 46th Street) 1:15pm. The program will include statements of the UN Secretary-General, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum and others as well as various indigenous cultural presentations. The program is organized by the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues/DSPD/DESA, the Department of Public Information and the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The Day's commemorative event as well as Art Exhibit ‘IN CELEBRATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ is open to the public. For a Virtual Tour.

Special Messages on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People

Programme of Activities

Press Releases