Full programme and more information.
Interpretation will be available between English and Spanish.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated globally on 9 August, marking the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
To commemorate the International Day, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs is organizing a virtual commemoration on Friday, 8 August 2025, on the theme: Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/265 from 2024 emphasized that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights is essential to realizing the positive potential of AI and avoiding perpetuating harm. Without safeguards, the potential of AI is unlikely to be distributed equitably and may instead contribute to widening digital divides. Left unchecked, AI risks perpetuating colonial legacies.
The virtual commemoration will take place online. It will include an opening segment and statement from the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. A moderated panel with invited speakers will consider and discuss how Indigenous Peoples rights can be ensured in the age of AI, and the associated challenges and opportunities Indigenous Peoples face. Indigenous Peoples, Member States, UN entities, civil society, and the public are all invited to attend.
