International
Decade of the World's Indigenous People
(1994-2004)
In 1990, the General Assembly proclaimed
1993 the International Year of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 45/164), which
helped focus world attention on the problems faced by indigenous communities.
Subsequently, on the recommendation of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, the
Assembly proclaimed in 1993 the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People,
starting on 10 December 1994 (resolution 48/163), adopting the Programme of Activities for
the Decade in 1995 (resolution 50/157). The Coordinator of the Decade is the High
Commissioner for Human Rights, while its theme is "Indigenous people: Partnership in
action".
On 9 December 1998, the General Assembly stated that, at the mid-point of the Decade in
1999, the Economic and Social Council and the Assembly should review the results of the
Decade's activities to identify obstacles and recommend solutions (resolution 53/129). The
Assembly reaffirmed as a major objective of the Decade the adoption of a declaration on
the rights of indigenous people, and among its objectives to consider establishing a
permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations system. It encouraged
governments to prepare Decade-related programmes, plans and reports in consultation with
indigenous people; to give indigenous people greater responsibility for their own affairs;
to establish national committees or other mechanisms involving indigenous people; and to
contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Decade.
International Day
of the World's Indigenous People
(9 August)
On 23 December 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). The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1992, of the Working
Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities.
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