The President of the 43rd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, H.E. Ambassador Khondker M. Talha, delivered a powerful address at UNESCO Headquarters during the celebration of International Mother Language Day, urging nations to place mother language education at the heart of global learning systems.
Welcoming dignitaries, ambassadors, ministers, and members of the Bangladesh community, the President of the General Conference reflected on the origins of the day — an initiative of Bangladesh adopted by UNESCO in 1999 and observed worldwide since 2000.
As President of the General Conference, I am honoured to see so many countries gathered here at UNESCO House, where every language has a home
H.E. Ambassador Khondker M. Talha, President of the 43rd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO
He paid tribute to the young Bangladeshis whose sacrifices to defend their right to learn and live in their mother tongue gave birth to International Mother Language Day.
Throughout his address, H.E. Mr Talha emphasized that language is not merely a tool of communication but the foundation of identity, culture, and understanding.
Language is more than syntax or grammar. It is also history, culture and philosophy; it is perception, emotion and wisdom – it is part of our core identity.
H.E. Ambassador Khondker M. Talha, President of the 43rd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO
He highlighted a stark reality: nearly 40 percent of learners globally are taught in languages they do not fully understand, with that figure rising to 90 percent in some low- and middle-income countries. The consequences, he warned, are long-lasting, particularly in early childhood education where literacy foundations are built.
He called multilingual education — with mother language at its core — a “critical tool” to bridge learning gaps. He stressed that when children learn in their own language, school attendance increases, cultural connection deepens, and parental engagement improves.
The President also linked mother-language education to UNESCO’s broader mandate, including sustainable development, scientific literacy, heritage protection, and technological inclusion. He emphasized that global conventions and scientific initiatives cannot succeed unless they resonate with local communities in the languages they understand best.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/president-general-conference-calls-global-action-international-mother-language-day?hub=701
