Interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has urged all nations and ethnic groups worldwide to recognise the importance of their mother tongue.

“I believe that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be possible unless every community values their native language,” he said.

He made these remarks on Friday while virtually addressing the silver jubilee celebration of International Mother Language Day at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

“The essence of identity is rooted in one’s mother tongue. Everyone must understand its significance. Otherwise, achieving the Three Zero Theory and the SDGs will be impossible, as these cannot be implemented by leaving anyone behind,” said the Chief Adviser.

Prof Yunus emphasised that the mother tongue is the most authentic medium for expressing inner emotions. He said, the history of Bangladesh’s independence, including the July uprising, is closely tied to the expression of language. Language reflects ethnic, cultural, social and political aspirations, which is why such diversity exists among nations.”

He further said that prioritising the mother tongue is essential for building an inclusive society. “No language should be allowed to disappear if we are to preserve individual identities, cultures, and traditions,” he said.

Prof Yunus also called for the removal of language barriers in higher education and expressed strong hope that UNESCO will play a significant role in preserving and promoting all mother languages worldwide.