International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. 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 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. Theme for 2026 - Youth voices on multilingual education The theme of the 2026 International Mother Language Day is “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. 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. At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. 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. Source : UN