International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Indigenous Peoples have rights over their traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources, including associated intellectual property rights, as recognized in Article 31 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The term “traditional knowledge” generally refers to technical know-how, skills and practices developed, utilized and passed down within a community’s traditional context. Examples include medicinal, agricultural and ecological knowledge, as well as methods for doing things such as weaving and house construction. “ Traditional cultural expressions ” are the myriad forms in which traditional culture is expressed, including music, dance, stories, art, ceremonies, designs and symbols. “ Genetic resources ” are defined as genetic material of actual or potential value found in plants, animals or micro-organisms. Examples include medicinal plants, agricultural crops a...