STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG TO CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Following is the statement delivered today by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at a ceremony commemorating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, which was held
at 9:30 a.m. at the Palais des Nations:

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the Palais des Nations to continue the tradition of being together to commemorate the annual International Day of the World’s Indigenous People.

Our event today takes place under special circumstances. In a historic move, as one of its very first acts, the new United Nations Human Rights Council adopted during its inaugural session the landmark United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which had been in the making for eleven years. This has shown how the majority of the Member States, as well as the majority of indigenous populations have come together for the benefit of the indigenous peoples around the world. The declaration will ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples. Indeed, in this connection it is crucial to recognize the potential contribution that the knowledge and values of indigenous communities can make to poverty eradication, sustainable development, agriculture and the environment. This long awaited Declaration is a significant step towards defending the dignity of indigenous communities.

There are an estimated 5,000 languages and cultures within the indigenous communities. There are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 counties worldwide. In spite of cultural and ethnic diversity, there is a high degree of overlap between the concerns and priorities of indigenous peoples. They strive for the recognition of their identities, and their ways of life.

As you know, the General Assembly adopted resolution 59/174 on 20 December 2004, which proclaims a second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. Building on the work initiated during the First International Decade, it aims to strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in the areas of culture, education, health, human rights, the environment and social and economic development.

Following on from this, during the 2005 World Summit, governments recognized that the sustainable development of indigenous peoples and their communities is crucial in our fight against hunger and poverty.

However, despite the commitment of Member States and some progress, including the recent adoption of the Declaration, indigenous people around the world continue to live in hardship and danger. Many outstanding issues remain between indigenous peoples’ interests and national or private development, between the livelihoods of the peoples concerned and public policies and projects. Indeed, many of these problems, as you know, are closely linked to the discussions of the 24th session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations that is currently taking place, which I am certain will feed into the broader debates on the utilization of land.

Today, we celebrate the richness and diversity of indigenous cultures, as well as the contributions of indigenous peoples to the human family. Let us remember that while it is important to establish and defend human rights standards, genuine improvements in the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples will depend ultimately on changes in community attitudes, on greater tolerance, and on our global resolve to encourage their greater involvement in decision-making. As we enjoy today’s songs and dance performances from different cultures, let us take stock, reflect upon the work that has been accomplished, consider future challenges and acknowledge the role of indigenous peoples at the international level. Much remains to be done, for indigenous peoples as for all others, lasting progress is ultimately dependent on progress in development, peace and security and human rights”.

For use of the information media; not an official record

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