INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

9 August 2011 (CBD)

On the occasion of the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, we pay tribute to the indigenous peoples for their contributions to knowledge, innovations and practices in the conservation of biodiversity on Earth. In its preamble and articles, the Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes the pivotal role of indigenous peoples and local communities and their traditional knowledge in the conservation of life on Earth.

For indigenous peoples, the relationship with biodiversity, which the Quechua and Aymara call Pachamama (Mother Earth) has developed valuable skills that are manifested in the form of stories, songs, art, cultural values, beliefs, rituals, languages, agricultural practices, among others. These cultural expressions, from traditional oral tradition to rich artistic expressions such as singing, dancing, painting, sculpting and carving have taken place over millennia. This traditional knowledge is expressed in a way that preserves biodiversity and its continuation is very important in achieving the objectives of the Convention.