King Salman Academy Hosts World Arabic Language Day At United Nations Focusing On Arabic And AI

The World Arabic Language Day 2024 celebration was inaugurated at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. This event, under the patronage of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and chairman of the board of trustees for the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, was organized with the Kingdom's permanent mission to the UN. The theme this year is "Arabic Language and Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Innovation While Preserving Cultural Heritage."

Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, delivered a keynote speech highlighting Saudi Arabia's significant role in supporting the Arabic language worldwide. He emphasized that this aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and reflects the Kingdom's status as the birthplace of both Arabic and the Holy Quran. The theme underscores a growing global awareness of Arabic's importance.

The academy is recognized as a leading institution in enhancing Arabic's status and developing teaching tools for its dissemination both locally and internationally. Operating in over 60 countries, it demonstrates a substantial global impact. Dr. Al-Washmi also noted Arabic's historical significance at the UN, being one of its six official languages since a landmark resolution by the General Assembly in 1973.

The event saw attendance from various diplomatic and international figures. These included representatives such as the undersecretary-general for General Assembly and conference management, the coordinator for multilingualism at the UN, and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UN. The deputy chief of staff to the president of the General Assembly and deputy permanent observer of the Arab League were also present.

This marks four consecutive years of celebrating World Arabic Language Day, showcasing Saudi Arabia's dedication to strengthening Arabic's presence in international forums. The celebration is part of broader initiatives by the academy aimed at promoting Arabic's cultural and scientific richness globally.

The event not only highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment but also ensures that Arabic remains relevant on a global scale. By integrating themes like artificial intelligence, it seeks to balance innovation with cultural preservation, ensuring that Arabic continues to be recognized worldwide for its cultural heritage and modern relevance.

With inputs from SPA