Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UNESCO will host the 2026 International Literacy Day global event in Chiapas, Mexico, on 8 and 9 September under the theme "Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity," marking the 60th anniversary of the day’s proclamation. The event will be opened by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, on his first official mission to Mexico, with participation from Mexican government representatives and international ministers, experts, teachers, and students.
The program will include the award ceremony for the six International Literacy Prizes, which honor outstanding literacy initiatives worldwide, along with the annual meeting of the Global Alliance for Literacy. This meeting will discuss the draft Action Plan for UNESCO’s Global Alliance for Literacy Strategy for 2026–2029. Sessions will feature a special anniversary event and discussions on literacy, language, and multilingualism.
While over 88% of the global adult population now possesses literacy skills—an increase from 65% in 1975—an estimated 739 million youth and adults still lack basic literacy, and about 40% of children in low- and middle-income countries do not reach minimum reading proficiency. UNESCO continues to lead global literacy efforts through its offices, member states, and partners, focusing on countries with lower literacy rates.