A note verbale (referred to in the text of a communication simply as a OnoteU) is a formal note
written in the third person. This form is always used in replying to an incoming note verbale; an
incoming letter is answered by a letter. Notes verbales may be addressed to a permanent representative
(or an observer) or a permanent mission, a minister for foreign affairs or a ministry of foreign affairs.
Where direct correspondence with any other government officer or office has been authorized, it must
be in letter form. The note verbale is not normally used for communications with other organizations
in the United Nations system, and should never be used for communications with non-governmental
Typical uses of notes verbales include the exchange of information between the United Nations and
Governments or permanent missions, the transmission of decisions or recommendations of United
Nations organs, requests for and acknowledgements of information and documents, the transmission of
information regarding the time and place of meetings, acknowledgements of changes in the
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membership of permanent missions or delegations and other requests or acknowledgements to
Governments relating to the substantive work of the United Nations.
A note verbale contains no complimentary closing. Its salutation forms part of the opening sentence
of the text and begins with the regular paragraphing. In selecting the form of the salutation, it is
important to note the following instructions:
A note verbale may be written in the name of the Secretary- General or of the Secretariat, but not in
the name of a department or of an official of the Secretariat. When a note verbale is sent in the name of
the Secretary-General, it is addressed to a person, e.g.:
“The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments to the Permanent
Representative of ... to the United Nations and has the honour to …”
When a note verbale is sent in the name of the Secretariat, it is addressed to an office, not a person,
e. g.:
“The Secretariat of the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of ... to
the United Nations and has the honour to ...”.
A note verbale in reply to one addressed to the Secretary-General should always be sent in the name
of the Secretary-General. Thus, if a note verbale from a permanent mission is addressed to the
Secretary-General, the reply will be sent in the name of the Secretary-General to the Permanent
Representative, e. g.:
“The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments to the Permanent
Representative of ... to the United Nations and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the
Permanent Missions note …”
A note verbale in reply to a note verbale from a minister for foreign affairs or permanent
representative should be sent in the name of the Secretary-General whether the incoming note is
addressed to the Secretary-General, to a subordinate official, to the Secretariat or to a department. A
note verbale forwarding a communication at the request of a Member of the United Nations or its
permanent mission should be in the following form only:
“The enclosed communication dated ... is transmitted to the permanent missions of the States
Members of the United Nations at the request of …”
On notes verbales the date should appear on the right-hand side of the last page, two to six lines
below the last line of the text, depending on the length of the note.
A note verbale contains no signature; instead it should be initialled under the date by the officer
responsible for its dispatch. The address does not appear on a note verbale but should be typed on the
accompanying envelope.
The general term “note”, covers traditionally all formal correspondence exchanged
between diplomatic missions and the governments of the countries where they are situated.
Notes can be: verbal, personal and circular.
The expression "note verbale” means “paper/document which should be given careful
consideration”. Verbal notes are the most commonly used documents in diplomatic
communications. The text is in the third person and is not signed. It is apt to be somewhat
stiff in tone.
As a rule Verbal Notes open and close with specific compliments.
Opening compliment
English: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus presents its compliments
to the Embassy of Finland and has the honour to inform ...
Russian: Министерство Иностранных Дел Республики Беларусь свидетельствует свое
уважение Посольству Финляндской Республики и имеет честь сообщить ...
Belarusian: Миистэрства Замежных Спрау РэспублШ Беларусь сведчыць сваю павагу
Посольству Фшляндскай РэспублШ /'
мае гонар паведамщь ...
Closing compliment
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English: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Embassy of Finland the assurances of its highest consideration.
Russian: Министерство Иностранных Дел Республики Беларусь пользуется настоящим
случаем, чтобы возобновить Посольству Финляндской Республики уверения в своем высоком
уважении.
Belarusian: Мшстэрства Замежных Спрау Рэспублт Беларусь карыстаецца выпадкам,
каб аднавщь Посольству Фшляндскай Рэспублт запэуненш у сваей высокай павазе.
Personal Notes open with salutation. The text of Personal Notes is written in the first
person.
Notes are normally written in the language of the sender. If, however, a mission
prefers to use another language, the general custom is that it should be English or Fre nch.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will, in any case, reply in its own language unless another
language has been agreed upon.
Достарыңызбен бөлісу: