About Us

The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples includes Indigenous Peoples, representatives of International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The NGO Committee began its work as a Special Committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) on October 16, 1991. At that time, the Committee sought to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations with regard to the 1993 United Nations International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. On December 8, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade, and the NGO Committee transferred its mandate from the International Year to support the International Decade (1995-2004). The current mission of this Committee is to: Support the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9); Promote the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and support the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, as well as other UN mechanisms focusing on Indigenous Peoples; and Educate and disseminate information about the concerns and issues facing Indigenous Peoples. The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples meets once a month and invites your participation.