UNIS/SGSM/1423
9 August 2024
Indigenous Peoples represent around 6 per cent of the world's population.
Yet their stewardship signifies an outsized contribution to our global community.
They are the keepers of knowledge and traditions that help safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas of our planet.
As guardians of the environment, their survival is our survival.
Their unique way of life is a testament to the rich tapestry of humanity.
But they also face serious challenges that threaten their very existence.
Indigenous Peoples are often the victims of threats and violence.
Extractive and productive sectors, like mining, agriculture, and transport have accelerated deforestation and land degradation.
Ancestral homelands and natural resources that they depend on for survival are coming under siege.
And their rights to self-determination and agency – enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – are yet to be fulfilled.
This year’s theme reminds us of their rights to protect themselves from unwanted contact.
Contact that can have a devastating impact.
Exposure to infectious diseases, forced assimilation, and the disruption of culture, language, and livelihoods.
Today and every day, the world must stand behind the rights of Indigenous Peoples to chart their own futures.
Together, let us safeguard their rights to live in peace and dignity.
***
"On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I call on countries to heed the lessons of past health emergencies to help prepare for the next." — António Guterres
The new Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations (Vienna), Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, presented her credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
The new Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations (Vienna), Andrew Williams, presented his credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine invites individuals, groups and organizations to submit information and documentation relevant to its third mandate.
