Check against delivery
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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OPENING REMARKS AT PRESS CONFERENCE
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New York, 27 June 2001
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Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by saying that I am deeply honoured by the vote that has just taken place in the Security Council. But I hope you will understand that I do not wish to speak about it at this press conference. As you know, this is a matter on which the Council recommends, but it is for the General Assembly to decide. Until the Assembly has taken its decision, it would not be proper for me to comment.
In any case, that is not today's subject. Today, as you know, is the final day of the Special Session on HIV/AIDS, which I think we should all recognise as a truly historic event.
It is historic for two reasons. First, the level of attendance shows that the world is at long last waking up to the gravity of the HIV/AIDS crisis. And second, the Declaration which will be adopted later today provides us with a clear strategy for tackling it.
It is clear that political leaders in important parts of both the developed and the developing world are taking this challenge very seriously. I hope this level of commitment will soon spread to all countries, especially those in Asia and eastern Europe where infection rates are going to rise steeply in the next year or two.
But I am perhaps even more impressed by the strong participation of non-governmental activists - within national delegations, at a wide range of parallel events, in the Round Tables, and as observers in the plenary sessions.
You can feel the presence of these activists everywhere, and they really transform the atmosphere of the building - as they do at all the best United Nations events.
I am more than ever convinced that such partnerships are essential to our success in the new century. Of course they bring problems and controversy with them, but so does every new idea.
In the last two days, some painful differences have been brought into the open - but that is the best place for them. Like AIDS itself, these differences need to be confronted head on, not swept under the carpet.
What is important is that, after today, we shall have a document setting out a clear battle plan for the war against HIV/AIDS, with clear goals and a clear timeline. It is a blueprint from which the whole of humanity can work, in building a global response to this global challenge.
And if there is one idea that stands out clearly from the Declaration, it is that women are in the forefront of this battle. It can only be won if women are fully educated and enjoy their full rights, including a full say in devising society's collective response. It has been said that "girl power is Africa's own vaccine against HIV", and that should be true for the whole world.
Equally important, everyone now recognises the need for additional resources, and we have heard some impressive new pledges of money during the Session. I hope that before and during the G8 summit in Genoa next month we shall hear even more.
The strong and widespread support for my proposal of a Global Aids and Health Fund is particularly gratifying. I have now had the chance to discuss this proposal with many different parties, and I now propose, together with three or four Governments from the developed and the developing world, to convene a group representing all stakeholders to finalise the details of the Fund. This transitional group will complete its work in time for the Fund to become operational by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, there have been many immediate offers of contributions from both public and private donors. In fact, UNAIDS is already receiving cheques: here is one for a thousand dollars, from a private citizen, and I am delighted to say it is marked "first instalment".
I have asked the United Nations Foundation to set up a special account to receive these contributions, which will be tax exempt for US citizens and taxpayers, and to hold them in readiness for transfer to the Fund as soon as it is operational.
All in all, I feel even more confident today than I did three days ago that we can defeat this deadly disease.
Let me now take your questions.