Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Kubanychbek Omuraliev, welcomed UNESCO’s decision to proclaim December 15 as World Turkic Language Family Day. The decision was made at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, held on November 3, 2025 in Samarkand.
In his statement, Kubanychbek Omuraliev noted that this milestone underscores the ancient roots and universal values of the Turkic language, reflecting its deep historical legacy as a unifying element of the Turkic civilization.
He also emphasized that the proclamation of this day within UNESCO — the foremost institution devoted to safeguarding cultural and linguistic diversity — also testifies to the growing recognition of the Turkic World’s rising identity, values, and role in today’s global landscape.
«We extend sincere congratulations to all Member States and Observers for their contributions to this meaningful initiative,» the statement says.
The Secretary General noted that the Organization of Turkic States remains committed to promoting our shared historical and cultural heritage, strengthening unity among Turkic peoples, and advancing common vision.
The establishment of World Turkic Language Family Day means that December 15 is officially included in the UNESCO calendar as an international commemorative date. Turkic languages now enjoy the same recognized status as, for example, Arabic (December 18) or Russian (June 6), which already have their own days within the UNESCO system.
This decision acknowledges the cultural and historical contribution of Turkic languages and makes it possible to hold annual events under the auspices of UNESCO. These include festivals, scientific conferences, educational programs, and projects aimed at preserving, promoting, and developing Turkic languages, as well as strengthening the cultural identity of the Turkic peoples.
