Africa focus of Security Council work programme for November - President

The Security Council President for November, Ambassador Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins of Angola, today outlined its work programme for the month ahead, noting that it would be relatively rich in African topics.

At a briefing for reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Martins said November's schedule would still include time to discuss the problems in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East.

The President said that, among other issues, there would be a review of the Council's mission to Afghanistan after it returned later this week, a final review of the phasing out of the Oil-for-Food programme in Iraq, and a discussion on peacekeepers and land-mines.

Mr. Martins said November's schedule would close with a focus on Africa. The Council plans to discuss next year's Great Lakes conference on solving conflicts in the region, as well as look at how to maintain peace and security in central Africa.

The Council is also scheduled to examine issues involving Somalia, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, HIV/AIDS and peacekeepers, Guinea-Bissau and the Middle East, and is monitoring issues relating to weapons of mass destruction, Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Video of press conference