On Wednesday, UN agencies, member states, and about 800 nongovernmental groups will gather in New York for the three-day UN General Assembly 2006 High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The goal of the conference is to assess global efforts to combat the disease, which was first diagnosed 25 years ago.

The first two days of the conference will be dedicated to a technical review of progress made since 2001, when a special session of the General Assembly created an HIV/AIDS action plan. On the final day, Friday, heads of state and government ministers will meet to rededicate their countries' political support for fighting HIV/AIDS.

UNAIDS is scheduled to release a status report Tuesday that will serve as the basis for the work at the conference. The report will detail the real progress made in certain countries as well as the pandemic's continued march through other countries. The report is also expected to sound the alarm about the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS among women, a trend that began five years ago, largely in Africa.

In addition, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will release a report on progress made by member states since 2001. These states will hear recommendations on ways to enhance HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and social assistance, with the goal of reaching universal access to treatment by 2010.

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