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- Asep Haryono | Bahasa Indonesia Is the 10th Official Language of UNESCO : A Global Recognition - Powered by Blogger
Happy Thursday, everyone! How’s it going?
I published this article at 1:00 AM early this morning here in Indonesia. As I mentioned before, I only post two new blog articles each week. Enjoy!
In an incredible and emotional moment for Indonesia, UNESCO officially announced that Bahasa Indonesia has become its 10th official language. This recognition isn’t just a national victory it’s a global milestone that shows how far the Indonesian language has traveled beyond its borders.
Bahasa Indonesia, which once united hundreds of ethnic groups across the archipelago, is now standing tall among the world’s most respected international languages. It’s not just about grammar or vocabulary it’s about cultural pride, unity, and identity being celebrated on a world stage.
Bahasa Indonesia was officially recognized as the 10th official language of the UNESCO General Conference, there were nine existing official languages. They are the same as the UN languages, which are used for official documents and interpretation at international meetings.
Here are the nine official languages before Bahasa Indonesia was added:
1. Arabic
2. Chinese (Mandarin)
3. English
4. French
5. Russian
6. Spanish
7. Hindi
8. Italian
9. Portuguese
After the UNESCO Resolution 42 C/28 was adopted on November 20, 2023, Bahasa Indonesia became the 10th official language of the UNESCO General Conference a historic moment that highlights Indonesia’s growing cultural and global influence.
The recognition of Bahasa Indonesia as an official language of UNESCO became formal through the adoption of Resolution 42 C/28 at the 42nd UNESCO General Conference held on November 20, 2023, in Paris, France
Proud Moment.UNESCO Designates Bahasa Indonesia as the 10th Official Language of the Conference spread on social media. I have included one of them up here for your reference - Expat Life in Indonesia
The decision was reached by consensus among member states, marking a historic milestone for Indonesia on the international stage. With this resolution, Bahasa Indonesia is now officially used in UNESCO’s General Conference activities, alongside other major world languages such as English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.
This achievement reflects the global acknowledgment of Indonesia’s cultural and linguistic influence. It also underscores UNESCO’s appreciation for Bahasa Indonesia’s role in promoting education, cultural diversity, and international understanding.
For official Source can be read from Cabinet Secretariat of The Republic of Indonesia can seen at: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia Setkab
Why UNESCO Chose Bahasa Indonesia
UNESCO’s decision didn’t happen overnight. The recognition came after years of steady progress and international influence. One major reason is the widespread use of Bahasa Indonesia around the world.
The language is now being taught in more than 50 countries, including the United States, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Egypt, and the Netherlands. Many universities have officially added Bahasa Indonesia to their curriculum, making it one of the most studied Asian languages after Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean.
UNESCO also noted that Bahasa Indonesia plays a vital role in cross-cultural communication, especially in Southeast Asia. With over 275 million speakers, it serves as a bridge connecting different communities, cultures, and even nations in the region. Its influence goes beyond Indonesia’s borders and that global impact helped it meet UNESCO’s international recognition requirements.
The Global Reach of Bahasa Indonesia
Today, Bahasa Indonesia is not only used in Indonesia but also spoken by millions of people in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and southern Thailand.
In Australia, more than 500 schools teach Bahasa Indonesia as part of their language program. In Japan, universities and cultural centers regularly host Indonesian language and cultural festivals. Even in the United States, institutions like the University of Michigan and the University of Hawaii offer formal Indonesian language courses.
This widespread adoption reflects the growing curiosity and respect for Indonesia’s culture, economy, and global presence. Bahasa Indonesia is no longer seen as a local language it’s becoming a language of opportunity for education, tourism, business, and diplomacy.
Bahasa Indonesia VS Bahasa Melayu: What Makes Them Different?
People often wonder: “Is Bahasa Indonesia the same as Malay?”Well, they’re like cousins similar in many ways, but not identical.
Both languages share the same roots in the Malay language family. However, Bahasa Indonesia has evolved through decades of influence from various local dialects, Dutch, Arabic, and even English. On the other hand, Bahasa Melayu (used in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore) has taken its own path with slightly different spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
For example:
• “Office” in Bahasa Indonesia is kantor, while in Malay it’s pejabat.
• “Bus” in Indonesia is bis, while in Malay it’s bas.
So while speakers can often understand each other, there are still charming differences that make each language unique. UNESCO’s recognition helps highlight Bahasa Indonesia’s independent identity and rich cultural character.
You can read - Things Foreign Tourists Always Ask About Indonesia
Bahasa Indonesia Qualified for UNESCO Recognition
To be recognized as an official language of UNESCO, a language must fulfill several criteria including having millions of active users, global educational adoption, and cultural influence across international platforms.
Bahasa Indonesia checked all those boxes:
• It’s spoken by hundreds of millions of people daily. • It’s part of formal education in dozens of countries. • It’s used in international diplomacy, academic research, and global media.
UNESCO also acknowledged the language’s role in promoting cultural understanding and peaceful communication a mission that aligns closely with UNESCO’s own goals. The decision is therefore not just linguistic, but deeply symbolic
For Indonesians everywhere, this recognition is a moment of immense pride. Bahasa Indonesia has long been a tool for national unity now, it’s also a tool for global connection.
This announcement means that Indonesian representatives, scholars, and speakers will now have greater visibility and representation in international meetings and documents. More importantly, it encourages future generations to preserve and celebrate their language with even stronger enthusiasm. .I can say that A Symbol of National Pride and Global Unity
What This Means for the Future? With UNESCO’s recognition, Bahasa Indonesia’s global journey is only just beginning.We may soon see more international collaborations in language research, more cultural exchange programs, and even global media platforms adopting Indonesian content.
It’s also a reminder for Indonesians both at home and abroad to continue nurturing and promoting their language proudly. The world is now listening.
Bahasa Indonesia’s recognition as the 10th official language of UNESCO marks a proud chapter in Indonesia’s history. It’s not just about words or sentences it’s about identity, culture, and the power of communication that brings people together.
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| Pontianak Blogger Community. I am the guy in the back on the right. Photo courtesy Komunitas Blogger Pontianak (Pontianak Blogger Community) | . |
As Bahasa Indonesia continues to gain global recognition, I’m opening a friendly opportunity for my fellow bloggers and readers around the world who are curious to learn the language directly from a native speaker , me!
Whether you want to improve your travel vocabulary, understand Indonesian culture better, or simply chat like a local, I’d be happy to guide you through it in a relaxed, conversational way. No textbooks, no pressure just real communication and fun learning. After all, there’s no better time than now to explore the beauty of Bahasa Indonesia together
==== governments, institutions, and world leaders remain largely silent or ineffective. Why does the world seem so powerless, or even unwilling, to stop Israel’s brutal campaign against Palestinians? .
The Shield of U.S. Support At the core of this issue is the United States. As Israel’s most powerful ally, the U.S. provides billions in military aid, advanced weapons, and perhaps most importantly diplomatic protection.
The U.S. has repeatedly used its veto at the UN Security Council to block resolutions that criticize Israel or call for ceasefires. Without global consensus, institutions like the UN are left paralyzed. As long as Washington continues to defend Israeli actions, meaningful accountability is nearly impossible.
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