Fathi M. A. Ahmed Participates in UN Celebration of International Translation Day at Vienna 

Vienna, 30 September 2018 

Fathi M. A. Ahmed participated in the United Nations celebration of International Translation Day, held at the UN Office at Vienna, which is also home to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The event brought together a diverse group of translators, interpreters, directors, and administrators from the language services of both the UN and the IAEA to honor the pivotal role of translation in global diplomacy.

During his presentation, Ahmed provided a comprehensive explanation of the translation process within international organizations, highlighting the challenges inherent in translating legal, scientific, and diplomatic texts across multiple languages. He discussed the complexities of maintaining accuracy and consistency in terminology, particularly when working with sensitive documents, and the importance of cultural and contextual sensitivity. Ahmed also elaborated on the teamwork involved in producing high-quality translations, with strict adherence to the rigorous standards set by the UN.

Among those listening attentively to Ahmed’s insights was the Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, known for advocating multilingualism and linguistic diversity within the UN system. The Swedish delegate, alongside several other key representatives, showed great interest in the challenges Ahmed described, particularly regarding the translation of intricate legal and diplomatic materials.

In addition to Ahmed, the event featured many of his colleagues, including translators and interpreters from both the UN Office at Vienna and the IAEA. Directors and administrators from the language services departments of these organizations also attended, adding their perspectives on the importance of fostering collaboration between language professionals and policy-makers.

The celebration served as a platform for honoring the critical work of language professionals who play a fundamental role in bridging linguistic divides at international forums. A discussion followed Ahmed’s presentation, where participants, including language service heads, shared best practices for streamlining translation processes and improving communication between translators, interpreters, and subject matter experts.

The International Translation Day event underscored the indispensable contributions of translators and interpreters in ensuring the smooth operation of multilingual diplomacy, particularly in an environment as linguistically diverse as the United Nations.