International Year of Indigenous Languages

– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73^rd Session of the UN General Assembly

1 February 2019

His Excellency Evo Morales, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia,

Mr. Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism,

Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs,

Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramítez, Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO,

Distinguished co-Chairs of the Steering Committee of the International year of Indigenous Languages:

Mrs. Mariam Aboubakrine, President of the Permanent Forum on Indigenus Issues,

Mr. Gustavo Baroja, President of the Consortium of Provincial Governments of Ecuador and  Prefect of the Province of Pichincha,

Esteemed Elders and Representatives of Indigenous Peoples,

Excellencies, distinguished delegates:

It is an honor to preside the launch of the “International Year of Indigenous Languages.” This is the result of a long process to strengthen the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

And that is not your only legacy. By Defending Mother Earth you have contributed to defend bio-diversity, the environment, reconciliation and peace. Likewise, by defending the preservation of indigenous languages, you have contributed to the defense of the Peoples, culture, knowledge, ancient wisdom and humanity itself.

I greet the Indigenous Peoples, their organizations and representatives who are with us here today. Your role has been vital to alert us about the danger that your languages are facing, and hence your cultures.

I also greet all Indigenous Peoples in each of their communities and territories.

This year, 2019, has the color of wiphala!

Languages are much more than communication tools: they are channels of human legacy. Indigenous languages in particular are unique knowledge systems and ways to understand the world.

Each indigenous language is priceless for humanity. They are treasures overflowing with history, values, literature, spirituality, perspectives and knowledge that have been developed over millennia, resulting from their interaction with nature: with forests, rivers, oceans. When a language becomes extinct, all those memories die with it, all that history, all that science.

For Indigenous Peoples their languages are symbols of identity and belonging; the vessels of their values, their ways of life and their connection to earth; crucial for their survival.

They are doors to invaluable knowledge and ancestral practices on agriculture, biology, astronomy, medicine, meteorology and much more.

More than 4000 indigenous languages around the world are still alive. Some countries have such an amazing linguistic diversity, with hundreds of spoken indigenous languages.

Unfortunately, all indigenous languages are vulnerable: many of them are gravely endangered, others are at the brink of extinction and several have already disappeared, taking whole pages of history, wisdom and the world views of their peoples with them.

The International Year must serve to undo the alarming tendency of the extinction of indigenous peoples; paying attention to its dire situation and doing all that is in our power to recover and preserve them.

Excellencies,

Allow me to make three brief remarks.

First, the language rights of Indigenous Peoples are protected in various international instruments and it is our responsibility to uphold them and bring them into force.

These rights are fundamental to exercise the right to the freedom of thought, opinion and expression. Only by guaranteeing that all persons, including Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities, can freely choose the use of their language in any sphere, can we build more democratic and inclusive societies.

To that end, we must continue to promote starting up educational systems that favor using mother tongues, the de-colonization of knowledge and putting an end to discrimination due to linguistic reasons.

We must also continue to promote the use of new information and communication technologies to preserve and promote indigenous languages and at the same time we must also promote strengthening community radios.

Second, the International Year must make us deeply ponder the threats faced by indigenous languages, cultural assimilation, discrimination, racism, illiteracy and loss of the territories and resources of the Peoples.

Because only by understanding the elements that are causing their languages to become extinct can we take the measures that are more appropriate to preserve them and revitalize them. 

Which leads me to my third and last remark: 2019 must be a turning point in our collective determination to save indigenous languages and their speakers.

International instruments such as the Declaration of the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 169 of the International Labour Organization; and the Final Document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples are, undoubtedly, essential tools.

And, of course, working with Indigenous Peoples is absolutely crucial: as owners and guardians of their languages, Indigenous Peoples must be asked about the policies and programs aimed to preserve them and revitalize them. Cooperation with Indigenous Peoples must also be stronger.

UNESCO plays an important role in this endeavor. Hence, I wish to emphasize the Plan of Action to celebrate the International Year, which was created by means of holding open consultations with multiple interested parties, including Indigenous Peoples and some United Nations mechanisms such as the Permanent Forum.

The principle of the “centrality of the Indigenous Peoples,” which is the basis for this Plan, is an important sign of adherence to the right of the free determination of the Peoples and their right to decide, without intermediaries or impositions, their own destiny.

Excellencies,

Although recovering an indigenous language, keeping it alive and ensuring that it can continue to be transmitted from one generation to another is not an easy task, it is an urgent need.

The linguistic, cultural and biological diversity of the world depend, greatly, on these languages and their speakers.

Indubitably, the joint and coordinated work between States, the United Nations system, Indigenous Peoples, civil society and the academia will be essential.

I invite you, on the occasion of this International Year, to continue to promote the political participation of indigenous peoples, the rights of indigenous women and sustainable development through the eradication poverty and hunger, in harmony with nature. As President of the General Assembly, I assure you that you can count on my full support.

¡Runa shimi rimayka ashkata allimikan!

Juyayay Runakunapak shimikuna!

Jallalla!

Thank you.