Linguistic and cultural diversity as the foundation for a sustainable future

     The International Mother Language Day – 2025 was celebrated on February 19, 2025, at UN Center, Almaty, marking the Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) of this global observance. Originally proposed by UNESCO in 1999 and later approved by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2002, International Mother Language Day has played a vital role in promoting linguistic diversity, multilingual education, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

This year’s event aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizes the role of language in fostering inclusive societies, reducing inequalities and promoting peace and cultural preservation. This vibrant cultural event was organized by the Ban Ki-moon Institute for Sustainable Development, the UNESCO Chairs inJournalism and Communication, and the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Association of International Students.

The event was attended by 32 participants representing various linguistic and cultural traditions of Bangladesh. China, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Yemen, and Zambia. These participants will showcase and discuss the importance of their mother languages, including Arabic, Bahasa, Bengali, Bemba, Chinese, French, Hausa, Hindi, Hungarian, Kashmiri, Kazakh, Malay, Malayalam, Manipuri, Moroccan Darija, Pamiri, Persian, Russian, Turkmen, Uyghur, and Yoruba.

The discussions focused on the role of language in education, identity and cultural sustainability, as well as practical steps to protect endangered languages and promote multilingualism as part of global development efforts. The participants also shared their personal experiences in the field of language preservation, the problems of linguistic assimilation and the impact of globalization on indigenous and minority languages.

Oshanova Oryntay,

The Head of the UNESCO Chairs

in Journalism and Communication, Associate Professor