31 January 2001

The President attended the January meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), chaired by H.E. Sr. Alfonso Valdivieso, Permanent Representative of Colombia. Among the issues discussed were the preparatory process for the upcoming General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS and the follow-up to the Millennium Summit.

The President also made short remarks as the participants of the Preparatory Committee for the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children gathered together for a photograph.

The President met with Ms. Eeva Kuuskoski, the Personal Representative of the President of the Republic of Finland. Ms. Kuuskoski is participating at the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the GA Special Session on Children and the discussion during their meeting was related to the Preparatory Committee's work and the upcoming special session.

The President met with H.E. Ambassador Mr. Bagher Asadi of Iran in his capacity as the chairman of the Group 77+ China. They discussed matters related to the work of the G-77 as well as the follow-up to the Millennium Summit and the process of improving the working methods of the General Assembly.

The President spoke at the quarterly luncheon meeting of the JFK Chamber of Commerce, focusing on the co-operation between the United Nations and the JFK Airport Authorities. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Finnair, Mr. Holkeri also touched upon issues related to the co-operation that Finnair has with JFK Airport.