UN advances digital strategy for Indigenous language preservation

The 19th session of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, highlighted progress under the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), with discussions placing renewed emphasis on the opportunities and governance challenges posed by digital technologies and AI.

A report presented during the session noted that digital technologies and AI can support language revitalisation while also raising questions about Indigenous Peoples’ rights to maintain ownership and control over their languages, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. EMRIP member Janine Gama Bara urged caution to ensure these technologies are deployed in ways that respect Indigenous rights.

Participants highlighted several initiatives, including UNESCO’s Global Roadmap for Multilingualism in the Digital Era, launched in November 2025, partnerships with Unicode and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the newly launched New Commons Incubator for Indigenous Languages and Cultures.

Participants also pointed to persistent challenges in language transmission and called for sustained funding and stronger partnerships between governments, Indigenous Peoples and UN agencies. The session carries added significance as 2027 marks both the midpoint of the International Decade and the twentieth anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with recommendations from the meeting expected to inform the next phase of the Decade’s implementation.

Why does it matter?

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages was established to address the accelerating loss of Indigenous languages worldwide, and EMRIP provides an important mechanism for Indigenous representatives to shape international policy responses. The progress reported, from national action plans to digital preservation initiatives, suggests that implementation is increasingly moving from awareness-raising towards practical measures that support language revitalisation.

The discussion on AI highlights a broader challenge in digital governance. Technologies capable of preserving and promoting Indigenous languages can also expose communities to risks if linguistic and cultural knowledge is collected, reused or commercialised without appropriate safeguards. As governments and technology developers increasingly rely on AI, ensuring Indigenous ownership, consent and governance over language data is likely to become an increasingly important policy issue.

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