International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples being observed

KATHMANDU: Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9 to mark the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982.

An estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples live across some 90 countries. Although they account for less than 6% of the global population, they represent at least 15% of the world’s poorest people.

The United Nations notes that Indigenous communities speak the majority of the world’s roughly 7,000 languages and embody about 5,000 distinct cultures. They maintain rich traditions and close relationships with their communities and the environment, preserving social, cultural, economic and political traits that differ from surrounding societies.

Despite their diversity, Indigenous Peoples face common challenges in protecting their collective rights. For decades they have sought recognition of their identities, ways of life and rights to traditional lands, territories and natural resources, rights that have often been overlooked.

Today, Indigenous Peoples are widely regarded as among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups globally. The international community has increasingly recognised the need for special measures to protect their rights and sustain their cultures and livelihoods.Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9 to mark the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982.

An estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples live across some 90 countries. Although they account for less than 6% of the global population, they represent at least 15% of the world’s poorest people.

The United Nations notes that Indigenous communities speak the majority of the world’s roughly 7,000 languages and embody about 5,000 distinct cultures. They maintain rich traditions and close relationships with their communities and the environment, preserving social, cultural, economic and political traits that differ from surrounding societies.

Despite their diversity, Indigenous Peoples face common challenges in protecting their collective rights. For decades they have sought recognition of their identities, ways of life and rights to traditional lands, territories and natural resources, rights that have often been overlooked.

Today, Indigenous Peoples are widely regarded as among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups globally. The international community has increasingly recognised the need for special measures to protect their rights and sustain their cultures and livelihoods.

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