The first priority focus on Africa was implemented at a General Assembly Special Session on the critical economic situation in Africa (27 May-1 June 1986). As a result, the UN Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, 1986-1990 was adopted.
Since then, the General Assembly annually reiterates Africa's priority status in various resolutions, most recently in the Political Declaration on Africa's Development Needs adopted at the General Assembly’s High-level Meeting on Africa on 22 September 2008.
UN System Websites:
UN's Global Issues "Africa"
http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/africa/index.shtml
Africa Renewal
http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/
Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
http://www.un.org/africa/osaa/
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Africa
http://www.undp.org/africa/
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
http://www.uneca.org/
Audiovisual resources:
Gathering Storm - The humanitarian impact of climate change
DVD/19 available for loan from UNIC Canberra
http://un2.amblique.net/Information_resources/Library/Videos_and_DVDs.aspx
A Good Man in Hell: General Romeo Dallaire and the Rwanda Genocide
(not a UN DVD, but available for loan from UNIC Canberra
http://un2.amblique.net/Information_resources/Library/Library_Catalogue.aspx)
In the Cause of Peace
(DVD 9) available for loan from UNIC Canberra
http://un2.amblique.net/Information_resources/Library/Library_Catalogue.aspx
Documentary on human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Produced by MONUC. Follows the work of the UN human rights teams investigating mass killings and rapes in the DRC and their efforts to assist the government and judiciary system in ending impunity for such crimes). 34'00" (Produced by MONUC)
(DVD 12) Human Rights Day compilation - 10 Dec 2008 available for loan from UNIC Canberra
http://un2.amblique.net/Information_resources/Library/Library_Catalogue.aspx
The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) was established in 2003 to enhance international support for African development and security, particularly with respect to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development — a strategic framework adopted by African leaders in 2001.
Key dates:
1-3 Feb 2009
African Union Summit
Theme: Infrastructure Development in Africa
07 April 2009
15th Anniversary of the Rwanda genocide
20 Nov 2009
Africa Industrialization Day
Throughout 2009
Touring exhibits:
Lessons from Rwanda
Visions of Rwanda
2001-2010
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa