Saudi Arabia is observing World Arabic Language Day 2025 through a wide range of cultural, educational, and academic initiatives across the Kingdom and internationally, reaffirming its commitment to promoting Arabic as a language of heritage, innovation, and global communication. Celebrated annually on December 18, the day commemorates Arabic’s adoption as the sixth official language of the United Nations in 1973.
This year’s observance follows UNESCO’s theme, “Innovative Pathways for Arabic: Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future,” highlighting the role of education, media, technology, and public policy in ensuring the language remains dynamic and accessible. The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) launched its celebrations earlier this month at the UN headquarters in New York, hosting cultural and interactive programmes from December 2 to 4 in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s permanent mission to the UN.
Within the Kingdom, KSGAAL released the fifth edition of its “Proud of It” digital toolkit to support nationwide participation. The academy continues to run programmes in more than 60 countries, working with international organisations on education, linguistic computing, cultural content, and language policy. Recent contributions include specialised dictionaries covering financial, economic, and behavioural sciences.
In Riyadh, the General Department of Education is marking the occasion with school-based activities under the theme “We Take Pride in It,” while the National Museum is hosting cultural dialogues, workshops, performances, and author engagements in collaboration with KSGAAL. The Islamic University of Madinah is also organising seminars, exhibitions, and competitions focused on Arabic’s cultural significance and its role in the digital age.
Together, these initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s integrated approach to preserving Arabic while expanding its use in education, research, and modern technologies, positioning the language as both a pillar of identity and a tool for global engagement.
