International Mother Languages Day 2026
Tabled 12 February 2026 by Apsana Begum
That this House pays tribute to International Mother Language Day 2026, which was the initiative of Bangladesh and was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference; notes that it has been observed on 21 February throughout the world since 2000 and commemorates the Bangladeshi university students martyred for the Bangla language in 1952; further notes that it is now over 25 years of commemorating this day and that 2026’s theme is youth voices on multilingualism; and believes that valuing linguistic diversity helps provide people with an understanding of language and culture, raises educational attainment, and celebrates the plurality and richness of multicultural communities.