At the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, currently underway this year in the historic city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan and concluding on 13 November 2025, the decision of the General Conference to establish February 9 as “World Day of the Greek Language”.

Recognizing the importance of teaching the Greek language and education abroad, as well as the great effort required to maintain the radiance of the Greek language, the Minister of Education, Sofia Zacharaki has already made a move of strong symbolism: She has signed a decision on the operation of the Greek Language Department (ELD) in Aix-en-Provence, France, regulating details such as the 20-hour-a-week timetable, staffing and operation.

It is also worth noting that in the context of the General Conference, the Deputy Minister of Education, Nikolaos Papaioannou, representing our country, presented the Greek Red List of Cultural Objects at Risk, which is being issued for the first time by an EU member state. At the same time, he called on UNESCO to support the effort to reunite the Parthenon Sculptures with their place of creation.

Greece reaffirms its commitment to UNESCO and promotes its role in the protection of the world cultural heritage

Greece’s full support for the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, as well as for UNESCO’s actions to address the consequences of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, was reiterated by Nikolaos Papaioannou, Deputy Minister of Education. In this context, the country submitted a candidacy for the Intergovernmental Council for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict for the period 2025-2029, stating that our country is ready to take an active role with experience and expertise.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects, which Greece described as a “global threat”. In the framework of its national and international initiatives, our country recently published the Greek Red List of Cultural Objects at Risk, the first such list issued by an EU member state, which is an important step towards strengthening international protection mechanisms. Greece is also participating in the UNESCO initiative for the creation of the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, which uses digital technology to highlight the extent of the loss of cultural heritage due to theft and illicit trafficking.

The issue of the Parthenon Sculptures

The country’s commitment to the repatriation and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures remains unwavering, Mr Papaioannou noted. The Parthenon, it was noted, is a universal symbol of democracy and artistic achievement, a heritage that belongs to all humanity. The Deputy Minister of State for Education reiterated her belief that the Sculptures should be reunited in the place of their creation and called on all UNESCO member states to support this “just and deeply symbolic cause.”

Cultural Landscapes and World Heritage Sites

Greece recently completed its term (2019-2023) on UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, a period during which the inclusion of “Sites of Memory” was promoted as a new category of cultural recognition that highlights the historical and often painful aspects of our shared past.

During this term, the Minoan Palace Centres of Crete were inscribed on the World Heritage List, recognising the universal value of six important archaeological sites. At the same time, Greece submitted a new nomination for the wider Mount Olympus region, combining natural biodiversity with the mythical and cultural significance of the sacred mountain of the gods.

Education, technology and sustainable development

Greece is actively participating in UNESCO’s Education 2030 Agenda through the Network of Connected Schools, enhancing the awareness of students and teachers on environmental issues, human rights and active citizenship, noted Deputy Minister of Education Nikolaos Papaioannou in his speech.

The country is also participating in the Green Education Partnership, promoting climate education and sustainable development, while strengthening the link between education and culture through programmes such as: ‘Living Heritage’ and ‘World Heritage in the Hands of Youth’.

Special reference was also made to the digital education platform being developed in Greece, providing live and on-demand content nationwide and testing the introduction of artificial intelligence in classrooms, aiming at equal access to knowledge and the formation of active, responsible and informed citizens.

Marine research and environmental protection

Based on its long maritime tradition, Greece actively participates in the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and was recently elected to its Executive Council for the period 2025-2027, contributing with its experience to the strengthening of global governance of the oceans and the protection of this common natural asset.

Melina Mercouri Award and World Greek Language Day

Greece continues to sponsor the Melina Mercouri International Prize for the Preservation and Management of Cultural Landscapes, which will be awarded again next Friday. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to protect cultural heritage from the effects of climate change.

Finally, Greece expressed its expectation for the establishment of February 9 as World Greek Language Day by the UNESCO General Assembly, thanking the countries supporting the proposal. As it was stressed, the celebration of the Greek language is at the same time a celebration of multilingualism and cultural diversity.

An effort that counts years

A UNESCO decision establishing the “World Greek Language Day”, will be the culmination of many years of efforts, initiated by Italy-based Professor of Modern Greek, Ioannis Corinthios. His activities began in 2014 and he has been honoured for his work by the former President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The Professor, as President of the Federation of Greek Communities of Italy, when he learned about the existence of the Day of Francophonie, he wanted to start something similar for the Greek-speaking world. He presented his idea to the Greek Parliament and the effort came to fruition in 2017, when Greece established February 9th as the World Day of the Greek Language. Since then, the celebration takes place worldwide, wherever there are Greek communities, philhellenes. At the present stage, its recognition by UNESCO is expected.

“The issue of preserving the Greek language is very serious, because it means preserving identity,” Professor Ioannis Korinthios underlines, to add: “Language is our identity, our homeland – as Kazantzakis said.”