Tirana, December 21, 2024 – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tirana marked World Arabic Language Day with a distinguished celebration under the theme "Arabic Language and Artificial Intelligence." The event, which took place at the embassy, brought together a diverse audience of Arab ambassadors, diplomats, intellectuals, members of the Albanian parliament, and media representatives, reflecting the growing global recognition of Arabic as a language of culture, knowledge, and technological innovation.
The ceremony underscored the importance of Arabic in the modern era, particularly in relation to its evolving role in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The event also highlighted Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to promote cultural exchange and the advancement of the Arabic language worldwide. As part of the celebration, a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Kalemat Publishing and Translation Agency, a leading entity in the Arabic publishing world, and the Albanian Institute for International Studies. This partnership aims to foster stronger cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Albania, focusing on the translation and dissemination of Arabic literature, research, and scholarly work, as well as promoting collaborative projects that bridge cultural and linguistic divides.
In his address, the Saudi Ambassador to Albania emphasized the dual significance of Arabic as both a living language of over 400 million people worldwide and a key element in the development of artificial intelligence. With AI technologies increasingly shaping global industries, the Arabic language's integration into this field is seen as an essential step in ensuring that Arabic speakers are not left behind in the rapidly advancing digital landscape. The ambassador also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing dialogue and cooperation between cultures, noting that Arabic, as a language of science and scholarship, holds immense potential in the global conversation on artificial intelligence and technological development.
The embassy’s celebration of World Arabic Language Day was an opportunity not only to celebrate the linguistic heritage of Arabic but also to highlight its relevance in contemporary technological and scientific discourse. This event forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to position Arabic as an integral part of the global knowledge economy, aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives of enhancing cultural exchange, fostering innovation, and supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies.
The signing of the MoU between Kalemat Publishing and the Albanian Institute for International Studies marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Albania. Through initiatives like these, the embassy continues to play a pivotal role in promoting Saudi culture and the Arabic language while fostering an environment of intellectual and cultural collaboration that transcends borders.
As the world increasingly looks to artificial intelligence as a transformative tool for societal progress, the role of the Arabic language in this context remains crucial. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s celebration of World Arabic Language Day in Tirana serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving linguistic heritage while embracing the future of digital innovation, ensuring that Arabic continues to thrive in an era defined by technological advancement.