General Assembly Session 52 meeting 55

The President

I give the floor to the representative of France to introduce draft resolution A/52/L.35.

Mr. Thiébaud (France)

Since the adoption of the United Nations Charter, Article 111 of which states that the texts in the various languages are equally authentic, we have continually tried to maintain parity in the official languages and working languages of the various bodies.

It is this use of several languages, on the basis of equality, that we call multilingualism, and that we wish today to continue to support.

Equal treatment by the United Nations of the official languages and working languages is a major factor in harmonious international life, enriched by the promotion of the diversity of cultures.

We need a great deal of determination to follow the rule -- respect for the principle of equality of languages. The purpose of resolution 50/11, adopted by the General Assembly in 1995, was to ensure that respect.

The efforts which have been made should be acknowledged, and we gladly recognize them, particularly given the Secretary-General's personal dedication to multilingualism. However, these efforts must be pursued and intensified. We hope that measures will be taken, as indicated in paragraph 2 of the report, to support the study of official languages and

"to ensure that languages learned can be used in the working environment and to promote respect for the Organization's linguistic and cultural diversity".

Any circular or other instruction aimed at the full implementation of the principles recalled in resolution 50/11 would be useful in this respect.

Similarly, we would hope to see implementation of the idea expressed in paragraph 9 of the report, that to promote multilingualism the Secretariat encourage staff members to make equal use of the working languages in their official communications. It seems to us that such encouragement would be more convincing when it concerned promotion prospects.

The full implementation of resolution 50/11 requires specific results for all the subjects mentioned in it, whether knowledge of official languages as a factor in promotion; equality of working languages within the Secretariat; the training or recruitment of specialists guaranteeing the proper and timely translation of documents into the different official languages, in order to ensure simultaneous distribution; the availability of data banks in the different official languages; and the teaching, at all levels, of the official languages and the working languages of the Secretariat.

That is why we are requesting the Secretary-General to report to us again at the fifty-fourth session on his continued efforts, and their results, to implement all the principles set out in resolution 50/11.

I have described the purpose of the draft resolution, whose subject, as demonstrated by the list of sponsors is one to which many Member States attach importance. They give it their deepest attention, reflecting their commitment to the diversity of cultures for which the United Nations provides a forum.

The adoption of the draft resolution will help us in this respect. The delegation of France commends the draft resolution to all delegations and thanks them for their support, which we hope and expect will be unanimous.

Mr. Arias (Spain)

It gives particular satisfaction to the delegation of Spain today to speak on this agenda item, entitled "Multilingualism".

I wish to recall that during the fiftieth session, Spain, together with the other member States of the Ibero-American Conference, played a particularly active role in the efforts which led first to the inclusion of this item on the agenda of that session and later to the adoption of resolution 50/11.

My country felt that the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of our Organization gave us the ideal opportunity to reaffirm the universality on which the United Nations is based, and, as a corollary, to confirm the principle of multilingualism, the expression and fundamental instrument of dialogue between Member States. For Spain, which has established language pluralism as one of the guiding principles of its own society, support for and strengthening the use of the various official languages in our work and deliberations is of the utmost importance.

For its part, the General Assembly, in adopting resolution 50/11 by a large majority, recognized the need strictly to apply the language regime established with respect both to the working languages of the Secretariat and to the six official languages and working languages of the General Assembly, its Committees and subcommittees, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

At this session, we are again discussing multilingualism, in the light of the report [A/52/577] submitted by the Secretary-General to Member States pursuant to paragraph 10 of resolution 50/11.

This debate could not be more timely. If the fifty-second session of the General Assembly, which has already been dubbed the "reform Assembly", is to provide an opportunity for all Member States to try to prepare our Organization for the challenges of the next millennium, so that it can shoulder its responsibilities more efficiently, we should register our continued interest in carrying on studying in depth the proper implementation of the language regime of our Organization. We must be particularly aware that the existing language regime strengthens the relevance of the role of the Organization, not only because it allows for richer contributions to our deliberations, but also because it enables our respective publics to identify with our tasks.

My delegation therefore wishes to express its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report, which we have studied carefully. In the various aspects covered it seeks to respond to many of the issues raised in resolution 50/11. However, as a whole, it gives only a static analysis of the present situation. My delegation's assessment of the report confirms our view that implementation of the existing language regime calls for a more detailed analysis and the continued attention of Member States and the Secretariat.

Questions such as the recruitment of staff who have a command of and can use the working languages, training in the official and working languages, the translation of documents and the timely strengthening of interpretation services require an appropriate follow-up in order to meet the demand on such an important matter.

That is why the delegation of Spain became one of the sponsors of the draft resolution that has just been introduced by the representative of France. My delegation is confident that it will enjoy the full support of the General Assembly.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the conviction of the delegation of Spain as to the importance of the current language regime as a way of putting the universal character of our Organization into practice.

Mr. Minoves-Triquell (Andorra)

Andorra is a fervent advocate of multilingualism. The official language of my country is Catalan, which has been our language since time immemorial. However, the people of Andorra also have a good grasp of French and Spanish, the languages spoken in neighbouring States. This openness to other languages is not only economic openness, which allows our tradespeople to understand the requests of tourists, but also a also great cultural openness that we want to preserve. In our schools Catalan is insisted upon, but lessons are also given in French, Spanish and English. The preservation and advancement of our own language and culture do not preclude other languages and cultures.

Mr. Minoves-Triquell (Andorra)

Andorra's special features make it natural for us to be one of the sponsors of draft resolution A/52/L.35 on multilingualism, which was introduced by France. I fully agree with what Mr. Thiébaud said this afternoon. United Nations promotion policy should take more account of the linguistic skills of staff members. If we want the United Nations to be a faithful reflection of the world's diversity, use of the official languages should be widespread. We should not penalize talented people for not knowing languages, but there is also a need to reward properly those staff members who make the effort to acquire fluency in various languages. We are pleased in his report of 6 November that the Secretary-General points out that languages are taught at duty stations. We should find the means to provide incentives for the use of these resources by all.

Mr. Minoves-Triquell (Andorra)

The initiative to encourage multilingualism at the United Nations must not be read as an expression by one or a few particular languages of a fear of losing ground in an increasingly unilingual world. Precisely because the world is more and more the ground for one lingua franca, we must endeavour to make people appreciate the wealth hidden in different languages, and the United Nations must be the first flag-bearer in this effort. An Organization that comprises 185 States cannot allow itself to slip into the convenience of using only one language.

Mr. Minoves-Triquell (Andorra)

The unity of action of our Organization must come from a convergence of diversity, never from uniformity. Without fear, we must make greater use of the languages at our disposal. Since our admission to the Organization in 1993, the Head of Government of Andorra has made all of his statements in the general debate in Catalan, our language, not with the goal of promoting nationalism, but in the desire to highlight the natural diversity of the cultures that can be found in this forum. This has always been done while providing a translation of the text, at very modest cost. Our message has been conveyed equally well. Andorra would like to encourage the other States to express themselves in their own language during the general debate. In this way we shall be aware of that great wealth of nations, their languages, as vehicles for the expression of human potentialities -- without fear, and without hidden ideological intentions, but with the simplicity of a country that presents what is its own. We therefore advocate multilingualism at the United Nations, at the level of the working languages, the level of the official languages and, when possible, the level of all the languages of States.

Mr. Kaabachi (Tunisia)

Tunisia is pleased to speak today on an item which it strongly supported for inclusion in the agenda of the General Assembly two years ago. It will be recalled that this item first appeared on the agenda at the time when the international community was solemnly commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.

The statements made during the discussion on the agenda item on multilingualism on that occasion, and the resolution adopted then, clearly affirm the multilingual character of the United Nations. By returning to this question today, we pay tribute to the founding fathers of our Organization. The United Nations symbolizes the concrete expression of respect for and acceptance of others in all their diversity.

In reaffirming the multilingual character of the United Nations, we respect not only the spirit and the letter of the Charter but, above all, we take a positive step to counter totalitarian ideologies. The principles of the Organization, we should recall, stress, respect and call for the safeguarding of difference. Such respect for differences among individuals, which is at the very root of any democratic society, should be the fundamental principle of relations among States. Democracy, the practice of which, within our countries, is rightly considered to be both an obligation and a virtue, is no less important in international relations.

As we take up the subject of multilingualism, a committee of the whole of the General Assembly, under agenda item 157, is scrutinizing the reform of the Organization. As the title of the Secretary-General's report -- "Renewing the United Nations: a programme for reform" -- indicates, that scrutiny is taking place from the perspective of renewal. The consideration of that question affords us an excellent opportunity for further reflection on the question of multilingualism in the United Nations, which is one of the important elements to be retained within the framework of this reform. This reminder of the importance of linguistic diversity in the United Nations is, in Tunisia's view, one of the main factors to be addressed in any overall reflection intended to contribute to the renewal of the United Nations and to imbue it with a new dynamism.

While the process of reflection on the future of the United Nations is far from being completed, and indeed is growing in scope and breadth, Tunisia hopes that the question of multilingualism will continue to arouse the interest it deserves in order to remain an important element of any draft which may be prepared or agreed with a view to increasing the efficiency and reach of the Organization.

Such reaffirmation of the international community's interest in recognizing and consolidating linguistic diversity should at the same time be accompanied by concrete acts and daily gestures to ensure a harmonious, mutually beneficial and fruitful coexistence among all cultures.

We believe that the principle of respect for the use of all official languages of the United Nations should be a simple fact, and should be put into practice in all meetings held by the Organization. No reason, however valid, should in our view be the pretext for a discriminatory usage that did not respect the wishes of Member States and disregarded the principles underlying the linguistic balance consecrated by the Organization's founding fathers.

In this context, we take note of the Secretary-General's report, contained in document A/52/577, on the question of multilingualism. We do not wish to comment on the content of the paragraphs dealing with the use of official languages in the Secretariat at the present stage, given that the relevant document was not available far enough in advance to allow us to study it closely. The paragraphs concerned, however, could be considered by the appropriate bodies, among them the Fifth Committee. My country's delegation will not fail to make its contribution in that context, so that the resolution on multilingualism is implemented in a satisfactory and effective way.

The paragraphs of the Secretary-General's report which I would like to comment on very briefly are those having to do with the work we carry out at the United Nations every day as delegations of Member States. The report considers the simultaneous distribution of documents to be satisfactory, but we would like, in this regard, to ask the Secretariat to respect the rules and decisions taken in this area. It should be recalled, in this connection, that during the current session documentation has rarely been available on time in the various working languages. The increasingly widespread use of a single language during this session has diminished our ability to work and to react quickly in the framework of negotiations and consultations, both formal and informal. To use the Secretary-General's formula, reform is not an event. Neither, in our view, is it an abstract formula. Reform should mean, above all, improvement in our working conditions so as to ensure greater participation, efficiency, transparency, and democracy. If we do not have documents in all the working languages at our disposal, our participation will frequently be lessened or non-existent.

Thus we hope that the reform to be undertaken will be accompanied by an improvement in the use of the official languages of the United Nations so that everyday practice in our work corresponded to the wishes of Member States and the rules they have established, particularly where respect for multilingualism is concerned.

We hope that by adopting a resolution on multilingualism in the General Assembly, the Member States will once again reaffirm their commitment to diversity and to the richness of cultures and civilizations, which are the fundamental guarantors of their authenticity but also of universality in the global village which our planet earth has become today.

Mr. Albin (Mexico)

The Secretariat has prepared the report contained in document A/52/577 for the consideration of this agenda item. That report contains a very brief summary of the practices current in the various areas in which, in one way or another, the official and working languages play a part in the Organization's work.

Unfortunately, the report does not analyse the difficulties and problems encountered in the implementation of current arrangements, nor are specific recommendations made to provide a better service to delegations. In all sincerity, I must say that it appears that the Secretariat is satisfied with the current state of affairs. Apparently, the importance it attaches to multilingualism does not compare to the priority a vast majority of Member States attach to it.

Mr. Albin (Mexico)

The official languages are a privileged and essential instrument of communication. We are convinced that their use is vital to dialogue, negotiation and understanding between Members of the United Nations.

In the second half of the twentieth century the major political, ideological and economic contradictions in society have been discussed and very often resolved within this Organization.

Mr. Albin (Mexico)

The community of nations has had a permanent, civilized forum for settling differences. The progress we have made has resulted from a genuine recognition of our shared destiny as human beings as well as -- and this is equally important -- an acceptance of our diversity.

For Mexico, the very strength of the United Nations lies in plurality and the excellent opportunities it offers for promoting understanding, convergence and unity of purpose. The priority we attach to multilingualism is not the result of an obsession; it is rooted in the deep conviction that if the Organization -- its essence, its practices and its methods -- reflect the potential that every culture offers, we will have a more efficient and more effective United Nations.

Mr. Albin (Mexico)

The importance of this item deserves deeper consideration. We therefore hope that the Secretariat can prepare a more analytical and more comprehensive report.

Mr. Albin (Mexico)

For the reasons I have given, the delegation of Mexico will vote in favour of draft resolution A/52/L.35.

Mr. Amehou (Benin)

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the delegation of Benin on this agenda item, "Multilingualism".

Two years ago, in 1995, the General Assembly ended its debate on this agenda item with the adoption of resolution 50/11, in which the Assembly, inter alia, requested the Secretary-General to ensure the strict implementation of the resolutions establishing language arrangements for both the official languages and the working languages of the Secretariat.

The Secretary-General has undertaken many initiatives, ranging from the teaching of the official languages of the Organization and the working languages of the Secretariat to library services and data banks, including the use of working languages within the Secretariat, interpretation services for various meetings and the recruitment and training of translators.

My delegation commends those efforts by the Secretary-General, which are aimed at making the world Organization truly pluricultural. Indeed, plurality is a characteristic of any community, and it must be recognized and accepted as a manifestation of freedom.

Today, when science, technology, communication and computing are working profound changes both in the structure of knowledge and in individual and collective expectations, it is of prime importance that we bear in mind that the universal culture of the third millennium will depend on the contribution of all cultures. With that in mind, Benin has again joined many other delegations in sponsoring this year's draft resolution on multilingualism, draft resolution A/52/L.35.

Our aim is to restore respect for the principle of the equality of the official languages of the Organization and the working languages of the Secretariat -- in short, to ensure that the principle of the diversity of languages and cultures within the United Nations system is acknowledged and complied with. For language has an impact far beyond mere communication. It validates cultural heritage and past intellectual experience. Language as a tool for thought is both the means and the end of culture.

That is why we believe that, at a time when new avenues for international cooperation and social progress are being laid out, it is important that all those involved be able to contribute to the development and establishment of the principles that will underpin international relations. This change can be dynamic and produce significant results only if the force behind it is respectful of cultural identity and its elements, protects pluralism and draws sustenance from the wealth inherent in that diversity. Only thus can its great ideals enjoy the broadest possible support.

The United Nations is the only universal forum for dialogue, consultation and negotiation. It should be our ambition to encourage strict respect for the right to make ourselves understood and to understand others, for proper understanding of the questions under discussion is the guarantee of an ever broader and more productive participation.

I should like to highlight the importance we attach to this draft resolution by emphasizing that today the protagonists in international life are growing in number and diversity. It is therefore urgent that we act to promote an ever broader democratization in international life.

We believe that the potential for self-expression and participation contributes to that democratization, with the taking into account of the points of view and concerns of the silent: those who are reduced to silence or those who remain silent because they cannot participate actively in debates or make proper use of the documentation available to them.

For all those reasons, my delegation appreciates the work done by the Secretary-General in implementation of resolution 50/11. Nothing is perfect; by its very nature, any human endeavour is capable of improvement. Benin therefore calls for renewed efforts by the Secretariat to give this privileged instrument of the work of our Organization its full weight.

The time has come for our Assembly to reach a decision along these lines, based on the Secretary-General's proposals for the renewal of the Organization, and to ensure that all aspects of the question are covered.

In conclusion, I would like to express the hope that, in the light of all that I have said, and everything that previous speakers have said, the Assembly will adopt draft resolution A/52/L.35 by consensus.

The Acting President

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item.

Before proceeding to take action on draft resolution A/52/L.35, I should like to announce that since its introduction the following countries have become sponsors: Afghanistan, Argentina, Belarus, Cameroon, China, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Peru, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/52/L.35?

The Acting President

Before calling on speakers in explanation of position, may I remind members that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Mr. Watanabe (Japan)

My delegation reluctantly joined the consensus on the draft resolution, for the following reason.

Two years ago, on 2 November 1995, when resolution 50/11 was adopted, my delegation voted against it, since operative paragraph 3 penalizes staff members whose mother tongue is not one of the official languages of the United Nations. This is a discriminatory measure against those countries whose mother tongue is not one of the six official languages, and Japan considers that paragraph unacceptable. Therefore, my delegation reserves the right to intervene, if necessary, at any future stage regarding this resolution on multilingualism.

Although my delegation respects the idea of multilingualism in the United Nations, it would request the Secretary-General to treat equally in matters of recruitment or promotion those United Nations staff whose mother tongue is not one of the official languages of the United Nations.

Mr. Chinvanno (Thailand)

My delegation wishes to make it clear that while we joined the consensus on draft resolution A/52/L.35 under this agenda item, "Multilingualism", we continue to have strong reservations regarding operative paragraph 3 of resolution 50/11, which my delegation voted against in 1995. In our view, this paragraph has grave implications for personnel matters. In practical terms, requiring a command of two of the six official languages would place at a serious disadvantage personnel and potential recruits whose mother tongue is not one of the six official languages of the Organization.

Thailand wishes to reaffirm its commitment to multilingualism at the United Nations and to support the idea that the United Nations should promote cultural diversity. But Thailand believes that the promotion of cultural diversity has as its central ideal the concepts of tolerance and understanding, which, in the context of this agenda item, should be extended to those cultures that as a result of forces of history are not associated with the six official languages of this Organization.

Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)

Like the preceding speakers, my delegation wishes to put on record that two years ago we observed that such a resolution deprives Member States of what is otherwise their quota in the United Nations Secretariat. I have especially in mind those countries in the southern part of Africa and in Asia where the languages that are seemingly gaining popularity at the United Nations have never been part of our history. The question, therefore, becomes: will the United Nations -- here I refer to paragraph 3 of the report -- also expedite training programmes in those countries where French, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic have never been used?

If not, we are seriously concerned that this is a way of trying to marginalize those countries that have never been exposed to the languages in question. The delegation of Swaziland categorically stressed in 1995 that the United Nations had a duty to include in the curricular systems of those countries opportunities to learn all the languages that are used at the United Nations. Otherwise, my delegation may find itself advocating that the Swazi language, which is my language, should be one of the languages used here. And, Mr. Acting President, your language -- which is a tribal language -- may also be seen to be fighting to find its way to the United Nations. One would like to feel that this is the United Nations -- with the emphasis on "United". We own the United Nations, as Member States. Therefore, those who piloted the resolution adopted today should know that they have acted unfairly, especially since it was not put to a vote, as was the case in the past.

Nonetheless, my delegation is willing to change its original position, with the hope that opportunities will be made available.

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 23?