The World Kiswahili Language Day was designated through a United Nations General Resolution 71/328 on September 11, 2017 as a day dedicated to raise awareness of the history, culture, use and strategic importance of the Kiswahili language, among other official languages of the United Nations.
At the 41st session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2017, it proclaimed July 7 as World Kiswahili Language Day. The inaugural celebrations of World Kiswahili Language Day were held at UNESCO Headquarters, in Paris, under the leadership of the Delegation of the United Democratic Republic of Tanzania, with the theme, Unleashing Kiswahili’s Potential in the Digital Era.
On the completion of its successful one year at the helm of World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations, the Permanent Delegation of the United Democratic Republic of Tanzania handed over the leadership to the Permanent Delegation of Kenya, in a convivial ceremony hosted at the Embassy of the United Democratic Republic of Tanzania. The handover ceremony was concluded with a delicious gastronomic spread of traditional Kiswahili cuisine for the participants.
This year’s World Kiswahili Day celebration was steered by the Permanent Delegation of Democratic Republic of Congo. The Director General Madam Audrey Azoulay addressed participants.
