On 9 August, UNESCO celebrates the world's indigenous populations and the empowerment of local knowledge and cultural traditions to confront issues such as the environment, sustainable development and education.

In 1994, the UN

that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 49/214 of 23 December). The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Already in 1990, the General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 45/164), and in 1993, the Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, starting on 10 December 1994 (resolution 48/163). The goal of the Decade is to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health. The Coordinator of the Decade is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; its theme is "Indigenous people: Partnership in action"

In 2004, the UN General Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples through Resolution 59/174. The goal of the Second Decade is to further the "strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development, by means of action-oriented programs and specific projects, increase technical assistance, and relevant standard-setting activities".

On Tuesday, 9 August 2005, the eleventh annual commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People will be held at United Nations Headquarters, in the Visitors' Lobby (First Avenue at 46th Street) 12:30pm., followed by a panel discussion at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

The program will include statements from UN Agencies, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum and others, as well as various indigenous cultural presentations.