U.N. opens
special session on AIDS

The United Nations on Wednesday opened a three-day meeting focused on global AIDS issues. The 2006 High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS focuses on assessing global efforts in fighting the spread of HIV, providing treatment to those with the disease, and identifying new approaches to expand prevention and treatment outreach. All U.N. member states and U.N. agencies as well as about 800 nongovernmental groups are scheduled to participate. The first two days of the conference will review progress made in fighting the disease since 2001, when the U.N. created a global action plan. The final day of the meeting will include a gathering of heads of state and government ministers that will focus on political support for fighting AIDS. (The Advocate)