Global perspective Human stories

UN Secretary-General Celebrates International Day of the World's Indigenous People

UN Secretary-General Celebrates International Day of the World's Indigenous People

As celebrations were held across the globe to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasized that much could be learned from their communities and their new forum at the United Nations.

"We celebrate in the wake of the first historic session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues," the Secretary-General said in a message marking the occasion. "Thanks to the Permanent Forum, indigenous peoples now have a home at the United Nations, a space where they can make their voices heard and their issues known before the world. Just as importantly, if offers Forum members, most of whom are indigenous persons, an opportunity to help the Economic and Social Council find solutions to the problems indigenous communities face all over the globe."

The Secretary-General said one of the lessons the world can learn is about the tradition of consensus, which can contribute to conflict resolution and good governance. Medicinal knowledge passed from generation to generation can also provide the world with valuable information.

"Likewise, indigenous peoples can teach us a great deal in managing complex ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, increasing crop productivity and conserving land," he said. "On this day, let us pay tribute to the effort and hard work that went into creating the Forum, thus ushering in a new era in the history of indigenous peoples at the United Nations."