On 27 and 28 May 2021, UNESCO Office in Apia, in cooperation with Headquarters, is organizing a virtual consultative meeting for the Pacific, as part of the ongoing consultations for the preparation of the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032). The regional meeting will also contribute to the establishment of a regional roadmap for the International Decade, and involve the participation of a wide range of regional stakeholders including representatives of UNESCO Member States, indigenous peoples organizations and institutions, UN system agencies, civil society, and experts in the field of Indigenous languages, linguistic diversity and multilingualism.  The United Nations General Assembly Resolution (Ref.: A/74/396, 18 December 2019) proclaimed the International Decade of Indigenous Languages starting from 2022 to 2032 with a preparatory period from 2020 to 2021. The UNGA (A/RES/74/135) invited UNESCO to serve as the lead agency for the International Decade, in collaboration with UNDESA and other relevant agencies, within existing resources. The Resolution also invited Member States to consider establishing national mechanisms with adequate funding for the successful implementation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032) in partnership with indigenous peoples, and invited indigenous peoples, as custodians of their own languages, to initiate and develop appropriate measures for the implementation of the International Decade.

Information and knowledge are key determinants of peace and security, development and human rights. Language is a prerequisite for human interaction in all spheres of life, and enables the delivery of information and knowledge coded in diverse sociocultural, political, economic and other contexts. In building truly inclusive and participatory societies, it is important to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to use one’s language in public spheres and on the Internet. The Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) calls for an integrated approach to development that takes into account human rights and principles of equity and participation. By highlighting the role of language for self-expression, inclusion and participation in society, the time is now for all stakeholders to recognize the needs of indigenous language users in the Least Developed Countries and how these needs can be addressed through the promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, notably as regards language. Linguistic diversity and multilingualism were recently recognized and reaffirmed as priority areas for the international community, with the proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). As one of the immediate responses to the UNGA resolution on the proclamation of the International Decade, UNESCO, in cooperation with a wide range of partners, is developing a Global Action Plan for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages. The side-event will provide an open space to discuss the role of language for development, peace building and reconciliation processes, including in the context of the development of the Global Action Plan for the International Decade.

This webinar will be the first webinar of a series aiming at introducing the International Conference: Groundwater, key to the Sustainable Development Goals which will take place in May 18-20, 2022 – Sorbonne University Paris, through Keynotes on interconnectivity between the SDGs and the role of Groundwater. This conference is coordinated by IAH-CFH and FWP and will contribute to the 8th and 9th phases of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).

The Online Regional Training on the UNESCO 1954 Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflicts and its Protocols  (the Hague Convention) for the Arab States,  will take place online (11:00-13:00, 31 May to 2 June 2021).

On 18 and 19 May 2021, UNESCO is organizing a virtual regional consultative meeting for North America, as part of the ongoing consultations for the preparation of the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032). The regional meeting will also contribute to the establishment of a regional roadmap for the International Decade, and involve the participation of a wide range of regional stakeholders including representatives of UNESCO Member States, indigenous peoples organizations and institutions, UN system agencies, civil society, and experts in the field of Indigenous languages, linguistic diversity and multilingualism.   The United Nations General Assembly Resolution (Ref.: A/74/396, 18 December 2019) proclaimed the International Decade of Indigenous Languages starting from 2022 to 2032 with a preparatory period from 2020 to 2021. The UNGA (A/RES/74/135) invited UNESCO to serve as the lead agency for the International Decade, in collaboration with UNDESA and other relevant agencies, within existing resources. The Resolution also invited Member States to consider establishing national mechanisms with adequate funding for the successful implementation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032) in partnership with indigenous peoples, and invited indigenous peoples, as custodians of their own languages, to initiate and develop appropriate measures for the implementation of the International Decade. 

During the week dedicated to the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (1-5 June), this event showcasing restoration in action will focus on solutions developed in UNESCO designated sites and networks. It will take place online from 11 am to 11:45 am (UTC), on 5 June 2021.