ASIATODAY.ID, SAMARKAND — A historic milestone in Indonesia’s diplomatic journey unfolded at the 43rd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Samarkand on November 4, 2025.
For the first time ever, the Indonesian language was officially used to deliver a National Statement at the global forum.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, delivered his address in Bahasa Indonesia, marking the language’s status as the 10th official language of the UNESCO General Conference. This recognition followed a resolution adopted at UNESCO’s 42nd General Conference in November 2023.
Indonesian language now stands alongside nine other officially recognized languages of the UNESCO General Conference—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian (the six official UN languages), as well as Hindi, Italian, and Portuguese.
In his speech, Minister Mu’ti called on the international community to strengthen UNESCO’s role as a moral compass for global progress and peace.
He urged the world to protect the safety of students, teachers, journalists, and humanitarian workers in conflict zones—particularly in Gaza—where educational and cultural institutions have been deliberately destroyed.
Minister Mu’ti also highlighted Indonesia’s advancements in education as a tangible contribution to UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Agenda. Indonesia’s national education transformation focuses on improving quality and equitable access through key initiatives such as:
– Deep Learning, designed to nurture critical, collaborative, and innovative thinking among students.
– People’s Schools and Free Nutritious Meal Programs.
– Teacher capacity development to foster adaptive and globally relevant learning environments.
The historic moment in Samarkand not only celebrates the international recognition of Indonesian language but also reaffirms Indonesia’s active leadership in promoting humanity, peace, and ethical progress through education, science, and culture.
Accompanying the minister, Mohammad Oemar, Indonesia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Monaco, Andorra, and France, stated that the occasion also served to announce Indonesia’s candidacy for the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term—continuing the nation’s global cultural diplomacy.
Ambassador Oemar emphasized that the General Conference in Samarkand was “not merely a diplomatic ceremony, but a reaffirmation of our shared commitment that open knowledge, inclusive culture, and ethical technology must drive equitable progress for all.” (AT Network)
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