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".

On Tuesday, 9 August 2005, the eleventh annual commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People will be held at United Nations Headquarters, in the Visitors' Lobby (First Avenue at 46th Street) 12:30pm., followed by a panel discussion at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

The program will include a message from the UN Secretary General, statements from UN Agencies, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum and others, as well as various indigenous cultural presentations. Representatives of Member States, UN Agencies, indigenous peoples', other non-governmental organizations and the media are invited to attend.

Those who wish to attend the panel discussion but do not hold UN grounds passes must confirm their participation by sending an email to: tribal.link@lycos.com by noon of 4 August indicating your name, affiliation and contact information. You will be able to pick up your passes at the UN Visitors Lobby from 1:15pm until 2:45pm.

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.

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

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

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