Portuguese is among the 10 most spoken languages in the world. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, who is Portuguese, made a special message to mark the date.
This May 5, the United Nations celebrates World Portuguese Language Day.
In a video message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that language is characterized by diversity, as well as promoting understanding and conciliation.
Flags of the countries that make up the CPLP, from left to right: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor (Photo: UN News – Alexandre Soares)
Lusophony in the world
António Guterres, who is the first Portuguese-speaking secretary-general at the United Nations, adds that language is often “a refuge and a hope for the most vulnerable and a way to be heard”.
Therefore, he cites the Portuguese language as a good example of inclusion, being a common point of peoples from all over the world.
Community of Portuguese-speaking countries
For Guterres “the languages of global communication are an indispensable vehicle of understanding and hope”.
Therefore, it underlines the role of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Cplp, in realizing cooperation and solidarity between its nine member states: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Prince and East Timor.
The UN chief points out that the hundreds of millions of Portuguese speakers, both in countries that have the language as an official language and in their diasporas, have Lusophony as a mobilizing tool in favor of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
For Guterres it is necessary to reaffirm commitment and hope with the SDGs, as well as the commitment to peace, security and human rights, listening to all voices and guided by the common principles of the United Nations.
This 5 May, UN News will air an exclusive interview with the Secretary-General to mark World Portuguese Language Day.
Comprehensive coverage includes statements by authorities in Portuguese-speaking countries, artists and other speakers of the language.
Source: United Nations News
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
