UNESCO has designated Kiswahili as an official language for its General Conference proceedings following a petition from Tanzania during the 43rd session in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports confirmed that Tanzania worked with the National Swahili Councils of Tanzania and Zanzibar to secure the historic designation for the first African-origin language to receive such status within the organization.
Ambassador Ali Jabiri Mwadini, representing Tanzania at UNESCO, delivered a statement after officials approved the language's inclusion during the conference running from October 30 through November 13, 2025. The language already functions as an official medium within the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, African Diamond Producers Association and African Union, with authorities expecting the UNESCO recognition to expand its adoption across additional regional and international institutions.
Ambassador Ali Jabiri Mwadini, representing Tanzania at UNESCO, delivered a statement after officials approved the language's inclusion during the conference running from October 30 through November 13, 2025. The language already functions as an official medium within the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, African Diamond Producers Association and African Union, with authorities expecting the UNESCO recognition to expand its adoption across additional regional and international institutions.
