UN calls for greater appreciation of indigenous culture, creativity

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Tuesday urged the world to recognize the right of indigenous peoples to control their intellectual property, saying they needed help to protect, develop and receive fair compensation for their cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.

"Indigenous peoples face many challenges in maintaining their identity, traditions and customs, and their cultural contributions are at times exploited and commercialized, with little or no recognition," Ban said in a message to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

"I encourage all Member States to take concrete steps to address the challenges facing indigenous peoples -- including marginalization, extreme poverty and loss of lands, territories and resources. Countries should also commit to ending the grave human rights abuses that indigenous peoples encounter in many parts of the world," he said.

He noted that there were 5,000 distinct groups of indigenous peoples in some 90 countries, who make up more than five percent of the world's population -- some 370 million people in total. They are custodians of valuable and often fast-disappearing cultural heritage, the secretary-general said.

"We see their creativity and innovations in the arts, literature and the sciences," said Ban, noting that those contributions were highlighted by the theme of this year's observance of the Day, which is "Indigenous designs: Celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future."

"As we look forward to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014, I urge all Member States to work in full partnership with indigenous people to identify practical ideas and proposals for action at this important gathering," he said, calling for concerted efforts to strengthen their rights and support their aspirations.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (19952004).

In 2004, the assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 20052015, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity."