UN Radio launches new programme spotlighting African issues

The United Nations Radio service today launched a new weekly programme dedicated to Africa and all issues relevant to the continent, starting with an exclusive interview with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

In the first 15-minute edition of "UN and Africa," the Secretary-General addressed questions about crucial issues, including the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan and the serious challenges of UN peacekeeping, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to Chief Executive Producer Ben Malor, the programme "aims to cover topical, newsy and current-affairs-related stories about what the UN is doing for Africa, in Africa, and about Africa."

Each week, "UN and Africa" will tackle the key political, humanitarian, security, health, development and other issues facing African countries such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; peacekeeping; the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD); sustainable development; South-South cooperation and others, he said.

More information is provided on the new programme's web site.