E/2021/43 E/C.19/2021/10 Dialogues: thematic dialogues (item 5 (f)) Discussion on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 50. The Permanent Forum welcomes the proclamation by the General Assembly in its resolution 74/135 of the period 2022–2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, following the successful celebration in 2019 of the International Year of Indigenous Languages. The International Decade provides a unique opportunity for creating sustainable changes in complex social dynamics for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages. 51. It is important to recognize that indigenous peoples themselves must claim ownership of their languages and direct the revitalization efforts of the languages, while States should support these efforts and facilitate the transmission of the languages by parents and grandparents to the younger generations. 52. The Permanent Forum welcomes the high-level event entitled “Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages” held in Mexico City in February 2020 and its outcome document, the Los Pinos Declaration [Chapoltepek] – Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages, which laid the foundations for the global action plan for the International Decade. 53. The Permanent Forum also welcomes the establishment of a global task force in 2021 that is tasked with preparing, planning, implementing and monitoring progress on the global action plan. 54. The Permanent Forum takes note of the evaluation report on action by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to revitalize and promote indigenous languages, within the framework of the International Year of Indigenous Languages. According to the report, which was adopted by the Executive Board of UNESCO, UNESCO and the global task force should adopt lessons learned and the recommendations contained therein during the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, including by developing a road map with clear, measurable and time-bound activities and results. The Forum welcomes the inclusion of indigenous experts in indigenous language revitalization in the coordinating team of UNESCO for the International Decade and stresses the continuing need for such experts in the future. With a view to enhancing the global accessibility of all relevant information pertaining to the Decade, the use of the six official languages of the United Nations is crucial. 55. In order to achieve a successful International Decade, it is vital to ensure the worldwide engagement of indigenous peoples and States. The full and effective participation of indigenous peoples at all levels and the involvement of all relevant government ministries, such as those for education, culture and finance in the design, planning, financing and implementation of all activities is crucial. The private sector should also be invited to contribute since information and communications companies can play a unique role in the design, development and usage of contemporary language technologies. 56. The Permanent Forum urges Member States, the United Nations system and private philanthropic institutions to fund activities for the implementation of the global action plan and invites UNESCO, as the lead agency for the commemoration of the International Decade, to prioritize support for projects led by indigenous peoples. Languages on the brink of extinction must be afforded particular attention. 57. The Permanent Forum invites UNESCO to create, in cooperation with academic institutions and indigenous peoples’ institutions, a universal digital platform in which digital resources for indigenous languages can be created, stored and made available to indigenous peoples and researchers in order to preserve linguistic diversity. 21-06102 13/29

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