On the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a heartfelt plea to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities worldwide. Observed annually on August 9, this day highlights the vital role indigenous peoples play in preserving our planet's biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Guterres emphasized that indigenous peoples, though comprising about 6 percent of the global population, are indispensable as \\"keepers of knowledge and traditions\\" and \\"guardians of the environment.\\" Their stewardship is crucial for maintaining some of the world's most biodiverse regions.
However, indigenous communities face significant threats that jeopardize their existence. Guterres pointed out the violence, land degradation, and deforestation driven by mining, agriculture, and transport sectors. \\"Ancestral homelands and natural resources that they depend on for survival are coming under siege,\\" he warned.
The UN chief called for the international community to honor the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by ensuring their self-determination and agency. He highlighted this year's theme, \\"Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,\\" stressing the importance of their right to shield themselves from unwanted external influences.
Guterres concluded by urging nations to support indigenous peoples in charting their own futures and maintaining their dignity and peace. With an estimated 476 million indigenous individuals across 90 countries, their preservation is seen as integral to our collective survival.
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UN chief urges preserving indigenous peoples' rights to live in peace
cgtn.com
