United Nations Radio

Karin Landgren

Despite progress in Nepal's peace process, the recent resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal could create a new power struggle. Nepal last year declared itself a republic, following the signing of a 2006 peace accord between the government and Maoists which ended a decade of civil war. The Prime Minister-who is known as "Prachanda" or "fierce one"- was a former Maoist leader. I asked the head of the UN Mission in Nepal, Karin Landgren, about possible repercussions of his resignation.

A traditional Maori ceremony is held to welcome the new head of the UN Development Programme, New Zealand's former Prime Minister Helen Clark

Helen Clark

The blowing of a conch as a call of gathering started off a Maori celebration at the UN. The powhiri is the traditional Maori ceremony, which takes place when visitors and people of the land meet. It was held at UN headquarters to welcome the new Administrator for the UN Development Programme, Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Bissera Kostova reports.

How countries in Central Asia are facing challenges related to the drug trafficking route between Afghanistan and Europe

poppy plant

The five countries of Central Asia are increasingly of global strategic interest. But this is due to the potential security threats posed by the region which include drug trafficking, terrorism, and political instability. Drug trafficking through Central Asia is already affecting Azerbaijan which lies on the transit route that starts in the poppy fields of Afghanistan and passes through Central Asia, Iran, Russia and the Balkans, before ending on the streets of Western Europe. To find out more about this issue, UN Radio's Diane Bailey spoke on the line to the representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia, James Callahan.

Producer: Dianne Penn
duration: 14'00"