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International Mother Language Day
21 February

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Education thrives when languages are preserved, learning begins in the language of culture and home.
Photo:UN Photo/Milton Grant

2026 theme: Youth voices on multilingual education

The linguistic landscape has undergone profound change in recent years, shaped by increased migration, rapid technological development, and growing recognition of the cognitive, social, and economic benefits of multilingualism. Today, multilingualism is increasingly understood not only as a social reality but as a fundamental human characteristic and a powerful educational approach. Young people play a vital role in this evolution by defending and revitalising languages, creating digital content, and using technology to make linguistic diversity more visible and valued. These efforts reinforce the deep connection between language, identity, learning, well-being, and participation in society, while highlighting the need for education systems that recognise and support learners’ languages.

At the same time, significant challenges remain, as 40% of learners worldwide still lack access to education in a language they understand best, with indigenous, migrant, and minority youth most affected. Addressing this gap requires education policies and practices that embed multilingual education at their core to promote inclusion, equity, and effective learning for all. By advancing concrete actions, sharing promising experiences, and fostering dialogue among young people, educators, and policymakers, global initiatives create spaces to exchange ideas and identify solutions that strengthen linguistic diversity in schools and communities worldwide.

International Mother Language Day, first proclaimed by UNESCO and later adopted by the UN General Assembly, underscores the role of languages in promoting inclusion and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Multilingual education not only promotes inclusive societies but also aids in preserving non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages. It is a cornerstone for achieving equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals.

Events

Many languages, one future

13 February 2026 : 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm (CET)

Location: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France (Virtual)

Register

Safeguarding Linguistic Diversity

Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and planet. Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world's rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost.

Every two weeks a language disappears taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. UNESCO estimates that there are 8,324 languages, spoken or signed. Out of these, around 7,000 languages are still in use. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world.

Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages, which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.

International Mother Language Day is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

Background

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.

On 16 May 2007 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called upon Member States "to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world". By the same resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism and named the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to serve as the lead agency for the Year.

Today there is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in strengthening co-operation and attaining quality education for all, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development.

UN and Multilingualism

Multilingualism at the United Nations: Why it matters

Multilingualism Coordinator

Research Guide on Multilingualism at the United Nations

Documents

Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

Convention against Discrimination in Education

Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity

Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Access to Cyberspace

Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Preparation of a convention for the protection of indigenous and endangered languages

Education, language and the human rights of minorities

Resources

International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)

International Year of Indigenous Languages (2019)

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

UNESCO

Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger

Global Digital Library

B@bel Initiative

Languages in education

Inclusion in education

Multilingualism and Linguistic diversity

Intangible heritage

Language vitality and endangerment

Education in a multilingual world

Decade of Indigenous Languages focuses on Indigenous language users’ human rights

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) aims to ensure indigenous peoples’ right to preserve, revitalize and promote their languages. It offers an opportunity to collaborate in the areas of policy development and stimulate a global dialogue and to take necessary measures for the usage, preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages around the world.

Related observances

International Day of Education (24 January)

World Day for Cultural Diversity (21 May)

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (9 August)

International Literacy Day (8 September)

International Day of Sign Languages (23 September)

International Translation Day (30 September)

Why do we mark International Days?

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.

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