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On the eve of February 21, 2025, a global gathering in Addis Ababa brought together diplomats, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts to commemorate International Mother Language Day. This celebration was made possible through the collaboration of UNESCO, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the League of Arab States (LAS), and several diplomatic missions, reflecting a shared commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.

International Mother Language Day is more than an observance—it is a call to action. Established by the United Nations, it honours the sacrifices of Bangladeshi students in 1952 who lost their lives advocating for the recognition of Bengali as an official language. Their legacy reminds us of the power of language in shaping identity, education, and social inclusion.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Aboubakri Diaw, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Executive Secretary of UNECA, stated: “Mother-tongue teaching can be used as a tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through inclusion. It is also a crucial factor in the development of personal, social, and cultural identity, as well as in inclusion.”

He further issued a call to action, stating: “As we celebrate International Mother Language Day, each and every one of us should work towards building a multidimensional, multilingual world where mutual understanding, acceptance of others, tolerance, and peace are emphasized and brought to the fore.”

Also present at the event were the Head of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the African Union and UNECA, Sahal Sargsyan; the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Amb. Ali Akbar Rezaei; and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Ethiopia, Amb. Sikder Bodiruzzaman, among several other dignitaries. They enriched the event with insightful discussions on the significance of language and mother tongues in their respective countries.

Speaking on behalf of Dr Rita Bissoonauth, (Director, UNESCO LO), Dr Salifou Abdoulaye described this year’s celebration as particularly significant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the day’s global recognition. “At a time when generative AI and emerging technologies, such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek, are transforming communication, this event reaffirms that technology can never replace the richness of human languages. Rather, these tools enhance multilingualism but rely on human expression, culture, and identity” he stated.

“As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember when a language disappears, a way of seeing the world fades with it. Through multilingualism, we bridge cultures and ensure that no one is left behind. Together, we safeguard our languages, our stories, and our shared humanity”.

The event featured poetic renditions in French, Amharic, Russian, Armenian, and Persian, illustrating the beauty of linguistic diversity. Special delegations from the embassies of Iran, Armenia, Bangladesh, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom joined in reinforcing the importance of preserving endangered languages and fostering global unity.