A/RES/71/328
Multilingualism
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 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 further 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
69/324 of 11 September 2015, 71/101 A and B of 6 December 2016, 71/262 and
71/263 of 23 December 2016, 71/288 of 24 May 2017 and 71/314 of 19 July 2017,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 6
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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
Secretary-General to take the appropriate measures to implement, within existing
resources, current multilingualism policies, in compliance with relevant rules and
regulations;
6.
Notes in particular that a high proportion of calls for bids are published
only in English, and therefore encourages the Secretariat, where appropriate, to make
use of existing multilingualism policies to facilitate the participation of local vendors
in the United Nations procurement bidding process;
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See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
A/71/757.