A/RES/73/346
Multilingualism
and Spanish the working languages of the Economic and Social Council 3 and that
English and French are the working languages of the Secretariat, 4
Emphasizing the importance of multilingualism in the activities of the United
Nations,
Recognizing the contribution of multilingualism in promoting international
peace and security, development and human rights, through the work of the United
Nations departments and offices,
Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, and reaffirming its
unwavering commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda and utilizing it to transform
our world for the better by 2030,
Recalling its resolution 47/135 of 18 December 1992, by which it adopted the
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and
Linguistic Minorities, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 5
in particular article 27 thereof, concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic,
religious or linguistic minorities,
Recalling also its resolution 71/178 of 19 December 2016, in which it
established 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, with a view to
the need to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages,
Recalling further the decision taken by the General Conference of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on 17 November 1999 that
21 February should be proclaimed International Mother Language Day,
Recalling its resolutions 2 (I) of 1 February 1946, 2480 B (XXIII) of
21 December 1968, 42/207 C of 11 December 1987 and 50/11 of 2 November 1995
and other subsequent resolutions relating to multilingualism, including resolutions
71/288 of 24 May 2017, 71/328 of 11 September 2017, 72/90 A and B of 7 December
2017, 72/161 of 19 December 2017, 72/254 of 24 December 2017, 72/304 of 13 July
2018, 72/313 of 17 September 2018, 73/102 A and B of 7 December 2018 and 73/270
of 22 December 2018,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 6
I
Multilingualism in general and the role of the Secretariat
2.
Emphasizes the paramount importance of the equality of the six official
languages of the United Nations;
3.
Underlines the need for the full implementation of all resolutions
establishing language arrangements for the official languages of the United Nations
and the working languages of the Secretariat;
4.
Also underlines the responsibility of the Secretariat in integrating
multilingualism into its activities, from within existing resources, on an equitable
basis;
5.
Notes that the availability of United Nations documents in relevant official
languages is limited in some areas of Secretariat activity, and therefore invites the
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2/12
Rule 32 of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Council.
See resolution 2 (I), annex.
See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
A/73/761.
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