Considering the speed of change and development in the UN system and the world at large, the need is greater than ever before for a channel, such as, AFRICAN EXCHANGE, through which Africans in the UN System, past and present, can stay in touch.

In December 2002 (the period for which statistics are available), there were 48,497 employees in the payroll of the various UN Organizations, worldwide. Out of this number, 10,088 were African. Africans in the UN Organizations include:

• The Secretary-General of the United Nations,
• Commanders of the UN Peace Keeping Forces,
• Scientists,
• Medical Doctors and Technicians,
• Telecom Experts,
• Informaticians,
• Meteorologists,
• Administrators,
• Lawyers,
• Artisans,
• Secretaries,
• Clerks,
• Labourers,
• Nurses,
• Psychologists,
• Pharmacists,
• Public Health Specialists,
• Economists, etc.

These African experts found in 30 UN Organizations and in 134 countries. About 40% of Africans in the UN system are internationally recruited, while 60% are those recruited locally and working for UN and other Governmental Organizations in their own countries.