International Year for the World's Indigenous People.

1991/57. International Year for the World's Indigenous People

The Commission on Human Rights, Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the United Nations, set forth in the Charter, is the achievement of international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Taking note of General Assembly resolution 45/164 of 18 December 1990, in which the Assembly proclaimed 1993 as the International Year for the World's Indigenous People, with a view to strengthening international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous communities in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education, health and others, Taking into account the guidelines for international years and anniversaries adopted by the General Assembly in its decision 35/424 of 5 December 1980, Recognizing the value and diversity of the cultures and forms of social organization of the world's indigenous people,

1. Recommends that the specialized agencies, regional commissions and other organizations of the United Nations system, in their consideration of the contributions that they can make to the success of the International Year for the World's Indigenous People, be guided by how:

(a) Their operational activities can most effectively contribute to the solution of problems faced by indigenous people;

(b) Indigenous people can play an important role in the planning, implementation and evaluation of projects which may affect them;

2. Invites Member States to inform the Secretary-General of their initiatives and to propose themes for the International Year;

3. Encourages Member States to consult with indigenous people, and non-governmental organizations working with them, regarding themes and activities for the International Year;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in preparing the draft programme of activities for the International Year, requested by the General Assembly in its resolution 45/164, to take into account the ongoing work of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities as well as the Working Group on Indigenous Populations and to consider specific recommendations for the coordination and implementation of the draft programme of activities;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to accept and administer voluntary contributions from Governments, intergovernmental organizations and indigenous and non-indigenous organizations for the purposes of funding programme activities for the International Year.

53rd meeting
6 March 1991
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]