General Assembly President reports accord on draft declaration on HIV/AIDS

The President of the General Assembly, Harri Holkeri of Finland, reported today that agreement had been reached on the draft declaration of commitment that is slated for adoption by the Assembly's special session on HIV/AIDS.

A spokeswoman for the President said that Mr, Holkeri had submitted the draft to Member States after final accord had been reached.

"The President is very pleased that agreement has been reached on a text that is strong and progressive and that offers significant targets and strategies for combating HIV/AIDS," spokeswoman Susan Markham said in a statement.

Ms. Markham reported that the agreed text was "essentially the one reached over the weekend, in consultations led by the two co-facilitators of the preparatory process of the special session, Ambassador Penny Wensley of Australia and Ambassador Ibra Deguène Ka of Senegal."

The draft, which was the subject of intensive negotiations over the weekend stretching into the early morning hours on Monday, sets key international goals for fighting the pandemic.