INDIGENOUS peoples, making up less than 5 per cent of the world's population, seek recognition of their identities, way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. However, throughout history, their identity have been ignored and hence, their rights have always been violated. Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the world.

In 1990, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Later, the General Assembly established two International Decades of the World's Indigenous Peoples: the first (1995-2004 ), and the second (2005-2014) by virtue of two resolutions with the goal of strengthening international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in terms of human rights, the environment, development, education, health, economic and social develop-

Ten years ago, on 13 September 2007, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a major milestone with respect to the cooperation and solidarity between indigenous peoples and Member States. This declaration affirms that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples.

This declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It embodies global consensus on the rights of indigenous peoples and establishes a universal framework of minimum standard for their survival, dignity and well-being.

Over the last decade, the implementation of the Declaration has achieved some major successes at national, regional and international levels. Despite the achievements, there continues to be a gap between the

formal recognition of indigenous peoples and the implementation of policies on the ground.

By resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. Since year 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the said declaration, the theme for this year is ' 10th anniversary of the un declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples'.