Abdul Mu’ti is delivering his speech at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference (Source: KEMENDIKDASMEN on YouTube)

Warta Kema – On Tuesday (04/11), the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of Indonesia, Abdul Mu’ti, delivered his speech in the Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia) at the 43rd session of the  General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. 

This history unfolds following the past event when the Indonesian language was recognized as the 10th official language for UNESCO’s General Conference. The language was first recognized as the official language at the plenary meeting during the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France. 

The inauguration of the Indonesian language as an official language at UNESCO is an implementation of Article 44 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 24 of 2009 regarding the Flag, Language, and National Emblem, as well as the National Anthem, which mandates the enhancement of the function of the Indonesian language as an international language in a gradual, systematic, and sustainable manner.

Derived from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the proposal to make Bahasa Indonesia an official language of the UNESCO General Conference originated from a discussion between the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to France and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCO in January 2023. This discussion, after a lengthy process, ultimately led to the formal designation of the Bahasa Indonesia as an official language to be used in the UNESCO General Conference, alongside nine other official languages—English, Arabic, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Italian, and Portuguese—and first officiated on the 20th of November 2023.

Two years after the plenary meeting, Indonesia marks its milestone by delivering a speech in Bahasa Indonesia at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. Mu’ti first delivered his speech in English, followed by Bahasa Indonesia. Taking advantage of the occasion, he opened and closed his speech by reciting pantun, a traditional form of verse which was acknowledged by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. 

In his speech, he expressed his gratitude regarding the support from UNESCO and all Member States for the designation of Bahasa Indonesia as the 10th official language of the UNESCO General Conference.  He added that this language can serve as a bridge of communication among nations.

“Bahasa Indonesia has long served as a bridge of unity across our archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, 700 local languages, and 1,300 ethnic groups across our country. Today, it also becomes a bridge of understanding among nations.” 

By achieving this milestone, Indonesia demonstrates that language can serve as a bridge to strengthen international relations and enhance the position of Indonesian culture on the global stage.

Author: Syafina Ristia Putri

Editor: Ammara Azwadiena Alfiantie