UN: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged for amplifying the voices of indigenous women, together highlighting their role in preserving and disseminating  traditional knowledge.

"Indigenous women are the knowledge carriers for conventional food and medicinal systems. They stand up for native languages and cultures "In a video message to commemorate Tuesday's International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, he stated.

The UN Secretary-General said that indigenous women are also guardians of the environment and the human rights of indigenous people.

Guterres recalled his recent visit to Suriname, where he saw firsthand how indigenous people are preserving their rainforest and its rich biodiversity, and asserted that indigenous traditional wisdom can provide solutions to many widespread global concerns.

We must strengthen the voices of indigenous women if we are to create a just and sustainable future that leaves no one behind, he said.

The UN head called on member states to implement the UNs Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and to promote indigenous traditional knowledge for the benefit of all.

Every year on August 9, the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations has its inaugural meeting, which is recognised as International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

In connection with the International Day, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been highlighting the contributions of some of its employees who are from indigenous communities. 

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