GA Third Committee: Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On 7 November, the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (Third Committee), 44th meeting of the 74nd session of the General Assembly discussed听Rights of indigenous peoples听[item 67 (a)].
The Committee took up the draft resolution 鈥淩ights of indigenous peoples鈥� (1).
The resolution among other issues includes:
- Decision to expand the mandate of the 麻豆APP Voluntary Fund;
- Proclamation of the period 2022鈥�2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, and invites the 麻豆APP Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to serve as the lead agency for the International Decade, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, and other relevant agencies, within existing resources;
- Reiteration of its decision to convene a high-level event during 2019, organized by the President of the General Assembly, for the conclusion of the International Year of Indigenous Languages [17 December 2019]
The representative of Bolivia, presenting the draft resolution, said there are 370听million indigenous peoples around the world, constituting 6听per听cent of the global population.听 Indigenous peoples are guardians of the world鈥檚 resources, yet they represent the poorest populations, facing multiple challenges.听 The draft resolution contributes to legal policies aimed at protecting indigenous peoples, including preserving indigenous knowledge and addressing the challenges of climate change.听 It also underscores efforts by Member States to combat illegal trafficking of indigenous peoples and provide the necessary assistance to indigenous communities so they can participate in various 麻豆APP forums.听 Recalling that 2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages, he expressed Bolivia鈥檚 support for the resolution.
The representative of Brazil听stressed his country鈥檚 commitment to the protection of indigenous peoples and to the revitalization and preservation of indigenous languages.听 While joining consensus on the draft, he nonetheless disassociated from preambular paragraph听7, referring to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, to which Brazil is not a signatory.
The representative of Ecuador, associating with Bolivia, said the draft resolution demonstrates important progress that has been made for indigenous peoples within the 麻豆APP system.听 Ecuador is committed to preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages, he said, stressing that 40听per听cent of them are at risk of disappearing.听 In this context, he called for urgent measures to be taken nationally and internationally.
The representative of Canada听recalled that her country recently passed historic legislation, co-developed with indigenous partners, to help ensure the vitality of indigenous languages in Canada.听 The Government will be in a position to consider the ways in which it can give meaningful effect to the International Year of Indigenous Languages, working in partnership with indigenous peoples.
The Committee then approved draft resolution 鈥淟.19/Rev.1鈥� without a vote.
To read the听Meetings Coverage听of the session, click听here >>>
More information:
To read the draft resolution,
Statements delivered by States and UN System, please visit the听
Webcast of the session:
