28 February 2001

The President had a breakfast meeting with the Permanent Representative of Chile, H.E. Sr. J. Gabriel Valdés, and the Deputy Permanent Representative, H.E. Sr. Cristian Maquieira. They discussed the process of improving the effectiveness of the work of the General Assembly.

Today the President, together with the Permanent Representative of Finland, H.E. Ms. Marjatta Rasi, met with correspondents of Finnish Media. During the meeting Mr. Holkeri and Ambassador Rasi summed up the first half of the 55th session of the General Assembly and provided the journalists with an overview of upcoming events during the spring and summer 2001.

Mr. Holkeri also participated in the ongoing Preparatory process for the Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS. Today the process had two interactive dialogue sessions with panelists representing several non-governmental organizations.

The President also met with the vicecahairs of the Africa Working Group (item 50), Permanent Representative of Spain, H.E. Sr. Inocencio F. Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Shamshad Ahmad to prepare the work of the working group . The working group will have its organisational session on 20 March. The President also noted, that the Secretary-General has nominated his Speacial Reperesentative, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Gambari to act as coordinator within the Secretariat for the work of the Working Group.

Later in the day the President travelled to Finland, where he will among other things give a lecture in the University of Helsinki.