The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9th, serves as a United Nations platform to raise awareness and safeguard the rights of the world’s Indigenous population, who constitute the majority of the world’s cultural biodiversity.
This event not only acknowledges the achievements and contributions of Indigenous peoples in addressing global issues such as human rights and environmental protection but also recognizes our pivotal role in shaping the world and the critical need to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
The day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994, marking the commencement of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations within the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in 1982.
“Indigenous Peoples live in all regions of the world and own, occupy or use some 22% of global land area. Numbering at least 370-500 million, Indigenous Peoples represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures. Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous Peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples. Many Indigenous Peoples continue to be confronted with marginalization, extreme poverty and other human rights violations.”
This year, due to 9 August falling on a Saturday, the International Day observance will take place online on Friday, 8 August 2025.
This year’s theme is: “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”
Help spread the United Nations message on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.