A/RES/48/163
Page 2
Populations of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities,
Recognizing the value and the diversity of the cultures and the forms of
social organization of the world’s indigenous people,
Welcoming the report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, 1/ in which the vital role of indigenous people and their
communities in the interrelationship between the natural environment and its
sustainable development is recognized, including their holistic traditional
scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment,
Recognizing the importance of considering the establishment of a
permanent forum for indigenous people in the framework of an international
decade,
Taking note of the recommendation in the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, 2/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, held
at Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, that the General Assembly should proclaim
an international decade of the world’s indigenous people, which should begin
from 1994 and should include action-oriented programmes to be decided upon in
partnership with indigenous people,
1.
Proclaims the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous
People, commencing on 10 December 1994, the period from 1 January to 9
December 1994 to be set aside for planning for the Decade in partnership with
indigenous people;
2.
Decides that the goal of the Decade should be the strengthening of
international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous
people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education
and health;
3.
Also decides that, beginning in the first year of the Decade, one
day of every year shall be observed as the International Day of Indigenous
People;
4.
Requests the Commission on Human Rights, at its fiftieth session,
to invite the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to identify at its
next session an appropriate date for this purpose;
_______________
1/
Report of the United Conference on Environment and Development,
Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1,
Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1)) (United Nations publication, Sales No.
E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions adopted by the Conference, vol.
II: Proceedings of the Conference, and vol. III: Statements made by Heads of
State or Government at the Summit Segment of the Conference.
2/
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
/...