|
..Press
Release................................
UNESCAP News Services
|
Date 8
August 2005
Press Release No: L/30/2005
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY
OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
9 August 2005
On this International Day of the World’s
Indigenous People, we rejoice in the richness of indigenous
cultures and the special contributions they make to the human
family. We also recall the tremendous challenges which so many
indigenous peoples face, ranging from unacceptable levels of
poverty and disease to dispossession, discrimination and denial
of basic human rights.
Launched in 1995, the first International Decade
of the World’s Indigenous People helped to make the voices
of indigenous peoples heard more clearly around the world, and
to focus greater attention on indigenous issues. This year,
we enter a Second Decade, and as we do so, let us remember that
dialogue alone is not enough. Our focus must be on action to
protect the rights of indigenous peoples and improve their situations
with respect to their lands, their languages, their livelihoods,
and their cultures.
The recent Fourth Session of the United Nations
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues focussed with renewed energy
on the importance of indigenous peoples achieving the Millennium
Development Goals, particularly those of eradicating extreme
poverty and ensuring primary education for all. The Forum stressed
the need for a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction
and the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples
in all stages of programmes. It also recommended bilingual and
intercultural education for indigenous children. The Forum sent
an important message to next month’s World Summit in New
York that the partnership and trust built between indigenous
peoples and the United Nations needs to translate into concrete
action at the regional, national and local levels that empower
indigenous peoples and strengthen their identities, languages,
cultures, and traditional knowledge.
For indigenous peoples as for all others, lasting
progress in development is intimately connected to progress
in peace and security and in human rights. The World Summit
will consider these three great objectives in a comprehensive
way. As we look to the Summit, let us resolve to broaden the
circle of solidarity for indigenous peoples everywhere, and
to work with them to make sure that they enjoy the development,
peace and security, and human rights that too many have been
denied for too long.
* *** *
