25 June 2001

The President today opened General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS. In his opening remarks Mr. Holkeri called for political commitment and leadership to combat HIV/AIDS, one of the worst epidemics in our history. The full text of his remarks is available on the Statements and Messages page.

The special session today, with Mr. Holkeri presiding, heard statements by a number of Heads of Delegations. Prior to the opening of the special session the President attended to the unfolding ceremony of an AIDS memorial quilt . Mr. Holkeri said that he is convinced that this symbolic gesture - the presence of the memories of those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS - will strengthen our efforts and will to find a strong global commitment to fight against AIDS and to save lives. The full text of his remarks is available on the Statements and Messages page.

Mr. Holkeri today held a series of meeting in connection to the special session. Early in the morning he met with Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS. Before the opening of the session Mr. Holkeri met also with the head of Finland's delegation to the special session, H.E. Mr. Osmo Soininvaara, Minister for Health and Social Services. In another meeting Mr. Holkeri met with H.E. Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal. Issues related to the session were discussed in all of these meetings.

The President today attended a breakfast and a luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, in connection with the special session. Later in the day Mr. Holkeri attended a reception on the occasion of the special session on HIV/AIDS and presentation of the Nelson Mandela Award to Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, hosted by UNDP, The MAC AIDS Fund & The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The President also attended a dinner in honour of the President of Portugal, hosted by H.E. Mr. Francisco Seixas da Costa.