1993 to be International Year of World's Indigenous Peoples

State Cabinet has officially recognised 1993 as the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

The United Nations has declared next year as the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples with the theme: "Indigenous Peoples - A New Partnership".

The objective is to strengthen international co-operation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous communities in areas such as human rights, the environment, development, education and health.

It will be launched on December 10 this year which is International Human Rights Day, and the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority will be the State agency responsible for co-ordinating activities and distributing information in Western Australia for the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Judyth Watson said today she hoped Western Australians would embrace the occasion to better understand the problems faced by indigenous people throughout the world.

"This in turn should lead to a greater respect for human rights and for fundamental freedom for all people without distinction to race, sex or religion," Dr Watson said.

"I hope government and non-government agencies enter into the spirit of this.  We should reflect on the achievements of Australia's indigenous people as well as the need to redress disadvantage under the framework of the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody."