Remarks by USG Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General,
United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) on World Kiswahili Language Day (KLD)
8 July 2026 | CR1
Theme: “Kiswahili for Global Unity and Sustainable Development”
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Your Excellency Dr. Bernard Yohana Kibesse, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Republic of Kenya,
The Honourable Representative of the Government of Kenya,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning. Karibuni sana.
It is a distinct honour to welcome you to the United Nations Office at Nairobi as we gather to celebrate World Kiswahili Language Day—an occasion that reminds us of the enduring power of language to unite peoples, deepen mutual understanding, and advance our shared aspirations for peace, dignity and sustainable development.
Today, we celebrate far more than a language. We honour a living expression of identity, heritage, resilience and solidarity—one that has connected communities across the African continent, enriched global culture, and carried African thought and diplomacy onto the world stage.
Kiswahili occupies a singular place in our world. Spoken by more than 200 million people, it is among Africa’s most widely used languages and a vital means of communication across East, Central and Southern Africa. Its recognition within the United Nations system affirms the importance of African languages, African knowledge systems and African cultural leadership in shaping global dialogue.
For those of us gathered in this room—representing nations, institutions and peoples—language is not an abstract concern. It is the very medium through which diplomacy is practised, trust is built, agreements are forged, and collective action becomes possible.
Multilingualism is therefore not only a cultural value; it is a diplomatic necessity. It enables inclusion, strengthens participation, and ensures that the promise of the United Nations—peace, dignity, equality and opportunity for all—can be heard, understood and owned by the peoples we serve.
Kiswahili embodies this promise. Historically, it served as a language of exchange, trade, cooperation and encounter along the East African coast and far beyond. Today, it continues to transcend borders, bridge generations, and offer a shared vocabulary for unity in diversity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The elevation of Kiswahili as an official working language of the African Union was a milestone of profound diplomatic significance. It affirmed that integration is not only built through treaties and institutions, but also through the languages in which people recognize themselves, deliberate together and imagine a common future.
This year’s theme, “Kiswahili for Global Unity and Sustainable Development,” is both timely and instructive. It reminds us that sustainable development is not achieved by policy alone. It requires communication, ownership, cultural confidence and the full participation of communities. From education and youth empowerment to climate action, governance, trade, innovation and cultural preservation, Kiswahili offers a powerful channel for reaching people, sharing knowledge and mobilizing action in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
When people receive information in a language they understand, and when they can contribute in a language that carries their identity and experience, we unlock not only comprehension, but agency, innovation and transformation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to express sincere appreciation to the Government of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Member States, cultural and academic institutions, and all partners whose leadership and commitment have made this celebration possible.
Kenya, as the host country of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, holds a special place in this commemoration. Here in Nairobi, where Kiswahili is heard in daily life, public service, culture and diplomacy, we are reminded that language is not only spoken; it is lived. Kenya’s continued championing of Kiswahili reflects the language’s deep roots in the region and its growing relevance in global affairs. As we celebrate World Kiswahili Language Day, let us also look ahead with ambition and purpose.
Let us work together to:
Advance the meaningful use of Kiswahili in international and regional systems
Promote language inclusion in education, governance and public communication
Support cultural exchange, scholarship, creative industries and digital innovation
Empower young people as custodians, innovators and ambassadors of language and heritage
In closing, let us reaffirm that Kiswahili is not only a language of heritage; it is a language of possibility. It is a language of diplomacy, education, creativity, enterprise and peace. It carries memory, but it also carries momentum. May today’s celebration renew our collective commitment to multilingualism, to cultural dignity, and to a multilateralism that listens more deeply, speaks more inclusively, and serves humanity more effectively.
And may Kiswahili continue to inspire unity across borders, dialogue across cultures, and progress for present and future generations.
Asanteni sana. Thank you.