During the International Decade, global attention on the critical situation of many indigenous languages will be raised at international, regional and national levels, and resources will be mobilized for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period 2022-2032 as the International Decade of the Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032) and invited UNESCO to serve as the lead UN Agency for its organization, in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other relevant agencies including The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Global Task Force provides an international framework for inclusion, openness, participation and multi-stakeholder engagement in the International Decade.
The Global Task Force is composed of representatives of:
- National governments from each electoral group of UNESCO;
- Indigenous peoples’ organizations from seven socio-cultural organizations;
- Representatives of the three-party UN mechanisms such as the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues, Expert Mechanism for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and
- UN system entities including UNESCO, UNDESA, and OHCHR.
Members are appointed for a three-year period rotating between the Steering Committee (one year) and Advisory Group (two years). The work of the Steering Committee and Advisory Group will be supported by the Ad-hoc group(s) tasked to consult other stakeholders on the technical, regional or specific thematic aspects and issues. The Multi-stakeholder consultative meeting will take place once in three years providing a forum for strategic dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders.
The second meeting of the Global Task Force for the preparation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2023 is scheduled to take place on 21 June 2021 using the ZOOM online conference facilities with prior registration. Interpretation services will be provided in English and French.