Global celebration of the Arabic language in New York
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading role in serving the Arabic language and enhancing its standing on the international stage, the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language launched its celebratory events for World Arabic Language Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. These distinguished events, spanning three days from December 2nd to 4th, are held under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Academy’s Board of Trustees, and in strategic partnership with the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
This international event aims to consolidate the status of the Arabic language as one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and to highlight its civilizational and cultural contributions throughout the ages, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes the importance of strengthening cultural identity and building bridges of civilizational communication with the world.
Historical background and importance of World Arabic Language Day
Every year on December 18th, the world celebrates World Arabic Language Day. This date commemorates the day in 1973 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 3190, which recognized Arabic as an official and working language of the United Nations. This resolution was the culmination of diplomatic efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Morocco, recognizing the importance of a language spoken by hundreds of millions and considered a cornerstone of humanity's cultural diversity. Since then, this day has become a global occasion to highlight the rich heritage of the Arabic language and its role in enriching global science, arts, and literature.
Rich cultural programs to enhance international presence
The Academy's program of events includes a comprehensive scientific and cultural program, featuring panel discussions with leading experts and specialists to discuss the status of the Arabic language in international organizations and its vital role in building bridges of global cultural understanding. A parallel exhibition will showcase the Academy's projects and diverse scientific and cultural publications, along with a special section dedicated to handicrafts related to Arabic calligraphy and its arts, providing a rich interactive experience for attendees, including United Nations officials, representatives of member states, and those interested in linguistic affairs.
Expected impact and the Kingdom's leading role
The Secretary-General of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, affirmed that this international celebration is an extension of the Kingdom's historical and pioneering role in supporting its mother tongue globally. He added that this event embodies the effective institutional partnership between the Academy and the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, which enhances the presence of the Arabic language in international forums and highlights Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts in serving it. Internationally, such initiatives contribute to changing stereotypes and presenting Arabic as a living and dynamic language capable of keeping pace with the times and contributing to the fields of diplomacy, science, and culture. They also encourage its learning by non-native speakers and open new horizons for cultural and intellectual exchange among peoples.
