9 August 2014: Representatives of indigenous peoples, Member States and UN agencies marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People with an event on the theme, ‘Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.’ Noting that this year’s International Day occurs at an important moment in international negotiations toward a new climate agreement and the post-2015 development agenda, they called for full recognition and implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The event at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 8 August 2014, took place in the lead-up to the first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP), which is being organized as a special session of the UN General Assembly, from 22-23 September 2014.

In his opening remarks to the event, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the new development agenda must include the interests of indigenous peoples in order to succeed. He noted that while a number of countries have constitutional and legislative frameworks recognizing indigenous peoples, many others do not, leaving lives and lands exposed to threats and ongoing injustices. He urged all Member States to work ‘in full partnership’ with indigenous peoples.

A statement from UNGA President John Ashe highlighted that he is working with four advisors, two from Member States and two from indigenous peoples, to ensure the effectiveness of the WCIP, including the preparation of an action-oriented outcome document that will serve as a platform for enhanced cooperation between Member States and indigenous peoples.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder highlighted the work of the UN-Indigenous Peoples Partnership (UNIPP), including a publication on concrete impacts, titled ‘UNIPP Success Stories: Cooperation to promote and protect indigenous peoples’ rights.’

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director-General Francis Gurry said the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) is working towards an international legal instrument to protect indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expression (TCE), including regulation of the interface between intellectual property and genetic resources.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People has been celebrated yearly since 1995, after its proclamation by the UNGA in December 1994. This year’s event marks the end of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, from 2005-2014, on the theme of ‘A Decade for Action and Dignity.’ [UN Press Release, 8 August] [UN Press Release, 9 August] [UN Webpage for International Day] [WCIP Website] [UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues] [Statements] [UNIPP Success Stories: Cooperating to promote & protect indigenous peoples’ rights]