ERA 2007 launch generates extensive media coverage

Addis Ababa, 19 April 2007 - The 2007 Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2007), the annual flagship publication of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which was launched on 3 April, during this year's Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has so far stimulated a great deal of media attention. The Information and Communication Service has already logged around 30 news articles published worldwide in leading international newspapers and magazines. Several broadcasters have also conducted interviews on the report.

Reuters, BBC News, Middle East Times, The Reporter (Ethiopia) and the new Vision (Uganda) are among the many media organisations that welcomed ERA 2007 with evocative headlines such as: “African growth steady but frail” (BBC News); “Good and bad News for African Economies, UN Report ”(Middle East Times); “East Africa Regional Growth Declines (The New Vision); “UN Report sees Africa's Economic Growth at 5,8 pct (Reuters).

The influential and widely read francophone news magazine “Jeune Afrique” based in Paris, devoted two full pages to ERA with abundant illustrations in its issue of 1 -14 April.

Meanwhile, “Afrique Asie”, another prominent francophone news magazine featured an opinion editorial by Mr. Hakim Ben Hammouda, the Director of ECA's Trade, Finance and Economic Development Division.