Urdu translation of basic facts about United Nations officially launched

Islamabad

Comprehensive information about the United Nations and its work is now available to Urdu readers in Pakistan. The Urdu translation of the ‘Basic Facts About the United Nations’ was officially launched here on Monday at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, on the occasion of the UN Day.

The event was attended by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Resident Coordinator of the UN Neil Buhne, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Marc P George, Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University Dr Javed Ashraf and Director of the UN Information Centre Vittorio Cammarota. 

Published since 1947, ‘Basic Facts About the United Nations’ serves as a trusted guide to the United Nations and its system of related agencies. The 2014 edition provides a concise overview of the organisation’s work throughout the world — including current peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions — along with essential information on UN membership and structure.

“UN has made enormous progress in international law, peace and development after the end of the Cold War,” said Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, adding that, “The Urdu translation of this handbook will increase awareness about the UN’s work.”

UN Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne said, “With 60 per cent population below 30 years of age, Pakistan is playing a leading role in the UN in many ways. It can only continue to do so if more Pakistanis are aware of the UN and its mandate.”

“It is extremely important for the UN to reach out to Urdu speakers in Pakistan,” said Vittorio Cammarota, Director of the UN Information Centre. “To meet the challenges of the globalised world today, it is essential that citizens all over the world are properly informed about the work of the United Nations so that they actively contribute to it,” he added. 

Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University Dr Javed Ashraf said, “It’s a matter of great honour for us that Pakistan’s highest ranking university has been selected for the launch of this book.” 

On this occasion, a UN Corner was also unveiled at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) library. The UN Corner is a bookshelf that serves as repository of newsletters, journals, reports, magazines and books published by the UN Secretariat and the agencies, funds and programmes of the UN System. It aims to provide university students with full time access to information on the priority areas of work of the UN.

“This UN Corner provides a treasure of knowledge to support students in their research work and to empower Pakistani youth for their future careers,” said Marc P George, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, adding that “the Swiss Development Cooperation has therefore decided to support the roll-out of the UN Corner to all government universities throughout the country.” 

“The Quaid-i-Azam University is a microcosm of Pakistan, truly representative of our culturally diverse national demography. The UN Corner will prove to be a knowledge hub about the world body for both our students and faculty,” said Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Director SPIR.

This event was part of celebrations of the UN Day in Pakistan. UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, the United Nations officially came into being.