The Deputy Minister of Marginalised Communities, Royal ǀUiǀoǀoo has called on government agencies and stakeholders to adopt Indigenous Responsive policies and institutional strategies to integrate marginalised communities into the mainstream economy.

In a speech read on his behalf, ǀUiǀoǀoo says Namibia must protect the rights of indigenous communities given their historic background, which isolated them pre-independence.

He says the indigenous minorities have not fully recovered from the historic injustice, but there is hope with the ratification of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Rights by the government and support by the Division of Marginalised Communities.

"The recent Indigenous Knowledge Systems programme and International Decade of Indigenous Languages stakeholder engagement held in July was evidence of our efforts to safeguard and revive Indigenous Communities in Namibia through language and cultural preservation."

He further emphasised an urgent need to protect indigenous systems and heritage and collectively strengthen the pillars of the Division of Marginalised Communities on Advocacy and Human Rights Promotion.

"The four pillars of Advocacy, Education Support, Livelihood Support, Land Redistribution and Post-resettlement Support are all systematic efforts to empower indigenous minorities to strengthen their agency and autonomy in the fight for recognition, socio-economic empowerment, cultural identity, indigenous education, and more."

The theme for this year's celebration is 'Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation Initial Contact.'

This theme draws unique parallels between Indigenous Peoples' cultures and their direct impact on sustainable ecosystems and safeguarding the importance of biodiversity.