What Are the Official Languages of the United Nations?

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 with the mission of promoting peace, security, social progress, and cooperation among its member states. With 193 member states and a diverse range of cultures, languages, and histories, effective communication is key to its work. To ensure that its operations are inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible, the UN has adopted six official languages.

In this post, we’ll explore what these six official languages are, the difference between official and working languages, and how they are used within the UN.

The Six Official Languages of the United Nations

The UN recognizes six official languages, which are used in its meetings, official documents, and communications. These languages are chosen to reflect the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the member states and to promote effective communication at the global level. The six official languages are:

Arabic
Chinese (Mandarin)
English
French
Russian
Spanish

Each of these languages plays a critical role in ensuring that all countries, regardless of language, can participate equally in UN discussions and decisions.

Official Languages vs. Working Languages

While the six languages above are the official languages of the United Nations, it is important to distinguish between official languages and working languages.

Official languages are the languages in which all official United Nations documents are made available. This includes resolutions, reports, statements, and other key documents produced by the UN.
Working languages, on the other hand, are used for internal communications among UN staff. The UN Secretariat primarily uses English and French as its working languages. This means that day-to-day operations and internal communications within the Secretariat are conducted in these two languages.

Some of the other official languages may also serve as working languages in certain Regional Commissions, depending on the location and function of the commission.

Why These Six Languages?

The choice of the six official languages was made to reflect the geopolitical realities and the linguistic diversity of the world in 1945, when the UN was founded. The goal was to choose languages spoken by large populations across different regions, as well as languages that were widely used in diplomacy and international relations at the time.

English and French were already prominent in international diplomacy, especially as colonial powers were involved in global affairs.
Spanish and Russian were chosen to represent key regions (Latin America and Eastern Europe).
Arabic and Chinese were chosen to reflect the growing influence of the Middle East and China.

The selection of these languages was designed to ensure that key geopolitical areas were represented and to make sure that no member state felt excluded from UN proceedings due to language barriers.

How Are These Languages Used at the UN?

At the United Nations, the six official languages are used in various ways to facilitate communication among the diverse member states:

Interpretation Services: The UN provides simultaneous interpretation in the six official languages during meetings and conferences. This means that delegates can speak in their native language, and interpreters will translate their words into the other five official languages in real time.
Official Documents: All important documents, including resolutions, reports, and statements, are published in all six official languages. This ensures that every member state has equal access to the documents and can participate in discussions, regardless of their native language.
Translation Services: For documents that are not immediately translated into all six languages, the UN’s translation services work to make sure that every document is accessible in all six languages over time.
Meetings and Debates: During UN meetings, debates are conducted in the official languages. Delegates can speak in the language of their choice, and their speech is translated so that all other representatives can follow the proceedings. The General Assembly, the Security Council, and other major organs of the UN conduct their business in the official languages.

The Importance of Multilingualism at the UN

Multilingualism is not only about language—it’s about ensuring inclusivity and fairness in a world with diverse cultures and languages. The adoption of six official languages allows the United Nations to:

Promote Equal Participation: By providing all member states with the opportunity to communicate in their own language, the UN ensures that no country is at a disadvantage in expressing its views and concerns.
Support Diplomacy and Collaboration: Effective communication between nations is essential for achieving diplomatic solutions to global problems. The ability to work in multiple languages allows for smoother negotiations and better understanding.
Reflect Global Diversity: The choice of the six languages reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the international community. It helps foster respect for different cultures and encourages cross-cultural understanding.

Final Thoughts on the UN Official Languages

The six official languages of the United Nations—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—are more than just tools for communication; they are symbols of the UN’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and cooperation. By embracing multilingualism, the UN ensures that its work is accessible to all member states, fostering dialogue and collaboration in addressing global challenges.

Whether it’s working to resolve conflicts, addressing climate change, or promoting human rights, the use of multiple languages at the UN reflects the organization’s mission to build a more peaceful and just world for all.

Have a question about the UN official languages? Drop a comment or explore more resources on The Global Humanitarian.

You can also follow me on Instagram @the.global.humanitarian.

Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.