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15 May 2000

The General Committee meets at 3 p.m. today on a request by four countries for the inclusion of an item on HIV/AIDS in the agenda of the current 54th session of the General Assembly.  A draft resolution annexed to the request would have the Assembly convene a special session on HIV/AIDS in May 2001 to review the epidemic in all its aspects, and would ask the Secretary-General to make the necessary administrative arrangements.

In a letter dated 24 April addressed to the Secretary-General (A/54/238), the Permanent Representatives of Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, acting under rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, propose an additional item of an important and urgent character entitled “Review of the problem of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in all its aspects”.

A memorandum annexed to the letter explains that concern about the growing spread of HIV/AIDS has prompted action at the highest levels, both internationally and nationally, and that since the beginning of the epidemic, some 50 million people worldwide, mostly between the ages of 15 and 49, have become infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

The memorandum states that comprehensive, multisectoral responses will be required to face this challenge, and observes that it is, therefore, high time for the United Nations to elaborate a comprehensive agenda for action against HIV/AIDS, to convene a special session to review the problem in all its aspects and to propose new strategies, methods, practical activities and specific measures to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the epidemic.

In accordance with rule 15, the Assembly will most likely take action on the General Committee’s recommendation sometime next week.

[Rule 15 states: “Additional items of an important and urgent character, proposed for inclusion in the agenda less than thirty days before the opening of a regular session or during a regular session, may be placed on the agenda if the General Assembly so decides by a majority of the members present and voting.  No additional item may, unless the General Assembly decides otherwise by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, be considered until seven days have elapsed since it was placed on the agenda and until a committee has reported upon the question concerned.”]

I wish to inform you that Tuvalu will be admitted as the 189th Member of the United Nations at the 55th Assembly session.  The ceremony could take place on 5 September, the opening day of the new session, but definitely in September.  That information comes from the General Assembly Servicing Branch of the Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services.

I would like to draw your attention to a message of condolences and sympathy issued on Sunday by the President of the General Assembly, Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, following the death of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Keizo Obuchi.

The President described the late Prime Minister as an unassuming leader who emphasized consensus building and results rather than public popularity.   He said he fondly remembered his official visit to Japan in March and the fruitful talks he held with Prime Minister Obuchi.  They had discussed the United Nations and Japan’s commitment and constructive role in it.  They had also exchanged views on the burning issue of debt cancellation for least developed Third World countries, and he had been encouraged by the Prime Minister’s personal understanding to be helpful on this issue.  The President said he had commended the Prime Minister and Japan for being a model UN Member State, and also for generous and sustained economic and technical assistance to Africa and, in particular, to Namibia.

On behalf of the General Assembly, he extended heartfelt condolences and deep sorrow to the bereaved family, the Government and the people of Japan at this very difficult moment for the whole nation and many friends around the world.  Copies of the President’s message are available in room 378.

The President is continuing his Middle East visit and returns to New York on Wednesday, 17 May.

Question: When will the drawing take place for the list of speakers in the plenary of the Millennium Summit?

Answer:  There is still no specific date, but the drawing is expected to take place this month.  I will inform you as soon as I know.  [The Spokeswoman subsequently announced that the date for the drawing is Friday, 26 May.]