A/RES/56/262 United Nations Distr.: General 9 April 2002 General Assembly Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 32 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [without reference to a Main Committee (A/56/L.44/Rev.2 and Corr.1)] 56/262. Multilingualism The General Assembly, Recognizing that the United Nations pursues multilingualism as a means of promoting, protecting and preserving diversity of languages and cultures globally, Also recognizing that genuine multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international understanding, 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, 1 in particular article 27 concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, Recalling also its resolutions 2 (I) of 1 February 1946, 2480 B (XXIII) of 21 December 1968, 50/11 of 2 November 1995, 52/23 of 25 November 1997, 54/64 of 6 December 1999, 55/258 of 14 June 2001, and 56/64 B and 56/242 of 24 December 2001, I 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, 2 and recalls the actions suggested therein; 2. Also takes note of the appointment of a coordinator for multilingualism; 3. Notes with satisfaction the willingness of the Secretariat to encourage staff members, in formal meetings with interpretation services, to use any of the six official languages of which they have a command; 4. Stresses that the employment of staff shall continue to be carried out in strict accordance with Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations and in line with the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions; _______________ 1 2 01 49760 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. A/56/656.