|
News Release
 
MESSAGE OF EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR EXTERNAL
RELATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY, BENITA
FERRERO-WALDNER, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
DAY OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AUGUST 9, 2007
On August 9, 2007, we mark the International Day of the
World's Indigenous Peoples. This is an important moment
to celebrate the enormous diversity and cultural wealth
of indigenous peoples in all parts of the world.
For populations whose relationship to the earth and
natural elements is such and integral part of their
identity, climate change poses a particular threat.
Rising sea levels, disappearing glaciers and the
desertification of once resource-rich and fertile areas
threaten their very survival as individuals and peoples.
The European Union is in the forefront of international
efforts to tackle the challenge of adaptation through
more responsible energy use, through improving education
and awareness, and through promoting global commitments
to halt climate change.
As we pursue this course, we will ensure that we honor
our commitments to protect natural ecosystems such as
rainforests, and the traditional population of these
habitats, in particular their food security and
traditions.
In 2003, the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues published a number of recommendations
which identified the primary areas of concern in the
position of indigenous peoples in today's world. A key
demand of the Permanent Forum was the rapid adoption of
the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
I hope the remaining Obstacles to this process will soon
be removed so that we can celebrate its adoption by the
UN General Assembly in the near future.
On behalf of the European Commission, I re-state our
unwavering commitment to support indigenous peoples all
over the world.
en espaņol
For additional information on the EU's support of the
rights of indigenous peoples, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/human_rights/ip/index.htm
.
|
