Ahern to attend UN high-level meeting on Aids

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to fly to New York tomorrow for a United Nations meeting on Aids.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to fly to New York tomorrow for a United Nations meeting on Aids.

The meeting will review progress since the first UN Special Session on HIV/Aids in June 2001.

The UN member states, including Ireland, signed a Declaration of Commitment to HIV/Aids at that meeting.

Mr Ahern is due to address the UN General Assembly on Friday, a day after meeting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

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He will present Mr Annan with a report of the Irish Government's response to the challenge of HIV Aids in developing countries, from 2001 to the present.

The Government made a commitment in September 2005 to increase its spending on HIV and poverty-related diseases to €100 million per year.

Mr Ahern will be joined by an Irish delegation that includes Minister of State for Development Cooperation Conor Lenihan.

The Taoiseach will also meet Irish business leaders and attend business-related events organised by Enterprise Ireland.