This year, International Literacy Day (ILD) marks its 60th anniversary. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966 during the 14th session of the General Conference. Celebrated under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” ILD 2026 provides an opportunity to take stock of progress, deepen understanding of persistent and emerging challenges, and shape future literacy agendas in a rapidly changing world.
The global celebration is being convened by UNESCO on 8-9 September 2026 in Mexico, in collaboration with the Mexican government. The event includes the award ceremony of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, recognizing outstanding literacy programs from around the world. ILD 2026 will also be celebrated across local, national and regional levels worldwide. This global event is accessible online in Spanish, English, and French.
According to UNESCO’s statement, “Over the past six decades, countries and partners worldwide have advanced literacy as a fundamental human right and a powerful driver of peace and sustainable development. Building on this progress, ILD2026 will celebrate achievements, especially since 2015, while identifying remaining and emerging challenges. It will also provide a platform to highlight effective policies, practices and partnerships to advance literacy for all in support of peaceful and sustainable societies.”
“Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship. Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet.”
“Over the past decades, global efforts have driven significant progress. Between 1975 and 2024, youth literacy rates increased from 75% to 93%, while adult literacy rates rose from 65% to 88%. This progress reflects the power of international cooperation from the 1965 Tehran Conference, which inspired the creation of this day, to the 2026 Conference in Chiapas, Mexico. Yet, today, 273 million children and youth are out of school, and 70% of ten-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple text. At the same time, 739 million adults lack basic literacy skills, two-thirds of whom are women. These figures represent lost opportunities and potential, and the denial of a fundamental human right.” added Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.
Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) has been celebrated on 8 September around the world to remind policymakers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
