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UN signs deal to air French language channel TV5

UN signs deal to air French language channel TV5

Mr. Tharoor (r) and TV5's Serge Adda sign agreement
The United Nations and the International Organization of La Francophonie signed an agreement today to air the French language television channel TV5 at the world body's headquarters in New York.

"Giving access to TV5 programmes at United Nations Headquarters is a concrete step for the promotion of a multilingual working environment and for giving its rightful place to French as the other working language of the Secretariat," said Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Shashi Tharoor.

The agreement, signed by Mr. Tharoor and TV5 President Serge Adda, gives the UN access to French language programmes broadcast on the network, a subsidiary of the International Organization of La Francophonie.

Established in 1970 with its headquarters in Paris, the 51-member International Organisation of La Francophonie is an institution based on the sharing of a common language and common values.