Why 476 million indigenous people are in focus on 9 August

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on 9 August.

According to AzerNEWS, the day was established in 1994 by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/214. The date marks the first meeting of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, held on 9 August 1992.

The International Day was first observed in 1995, helping to raise awareness of the rights and challenges facing indigenous peoples and to give greater visibility to their voices around the world.

In 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The declaration recognises the fundamental rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples, including the rights to self-determination, cultural preservation, education, participation in decision-making, and ownership of and access to their lands, territories and resources.

There are currently around 476 million indigenous people living in 90 countries worldwide. Although they account for about 6% of the global population, they make up around 15% of the world’s poorest people.

Indigenous communities continue to face challenges including poverty, discrimination, disease, displacement from their lands, exclusion from political and economic life, and the loss of languages and cultural heritage.

In 2019, the UN General Assembly declared the year the International Year of Indigenous Languages, highlighting the urgent need to preserve, revitalise and promote indigenous languages.

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages began in 2022, with the aim of strengthening efforts to protect indigenous languages and empowering their speakers.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples seeks to raise global awareness of indigenous peoples’ rights, cultures and languages and to mobilise international efforts to address the social and economic challenges they continue to face.