Department of Public Information, United Arab Emirates Sign Memorandum

 

on Funding of ‘Basic Facts about the United Nations’ in Arabic

 

The United Nations and the United Arab Emirates today concluded a memorandum of understanding on the creation of a new Arabic-language version of the handbook Basic Facts about the United Nations, 2014.

Made possible through a generous financial contribution from the United Arab Emirates, the Arabic-language edition of the flagship publication reinforces the collaboration between that country and the United Nations, and underscores the commitment of the Department of Public Information to multilingualism, and to meeting the information needs of non-English-speaking peoples around the world.

Signing the memorandum of understanding were Maher Nasser, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Public Information, and Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates, at a ceremony held at the country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Published since 1947, Basic Facts serves as a trusted guide to the United Nations and its system of related agencies.  It presents a comprehensive overview of the Organization’s work in support of international peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian action and international law.  Basic Facts also provides information on the United Nations membership and structure, as well as current peacekeeping operations.

Basic Facts has been translated into many languages over the years, but has not appeared in Arabic since 1980.  The new Arabic-language edition is scheduled for publication in September 2014.  Its production represents an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations and how it works in the Arabic-speaking world.  Thanks to the support of the United Arab Emirates, the new language edition will provide Arabic speakers everywhere with a better understanding of the world body and the local impact of its global efforts.

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For information media • not an official record