A/RES/69/324
Multilingualism
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 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
67/292 of 24 July 2013, 68/252 of 27 December 2013, 68/307 of 10 September
2014, 69/96 A and B of 5 December 2014, 69/250 of 29 December 2014 and 69/287
of 8 June 2015,
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.
Welcomes the recent appointment by the Secretary-General of the
Coordinator for Multilingualism, who is responsible for the overall implementation
of multilingualism Secretariat-wide, calls upon all departments and offices within
the Secretariat to fully support the work of the Coordinator in the implementation of
the relevant mandates on multilingualism, and requests the Secretary-General to
report thereon in his next report on multilingualism;
6.
Calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to develop the network of
focal points that supports the Coordinator for Multilingualism in effectively and
consistently implementing relevant resolutions throughout the Secretariat, and
invites the Secretary-General, through his role in the United Nations System Chief
Executives Board for Coordination, to support a comprehensive and coordinated
approach on multilingualism within the United Nations system, taking into
consideration the relevant recommendations contained in the report of the Joint
Inspection Unit on multilingualism;7
7.
Welcomes the implementation, within the United Nations, of a day
dedicated to each of the official languages in order to inform and raise awareness of
their history, culture and use, encourages the Secretary-General to further strengthen
this approach in a cost-neutral manner, if needed through the participation of partner
organizations, including Member States and institutions such as the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and also encourages the
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5
See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
A/69/282.
7
A/67/78.
6
2/9