Annan to attend African summit on AIDS, infectious diseases later this month

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will travel to Nigeria later this month to attend a top-level African forum focusing on the problem of infectious diseases on the continent, his spokesman announced in New York.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard said Mr. Annan would address the African Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases, which will be held in Abuja on 26 and 27 April.

African heads of State, heads of United Nations agencies and private sector executives are expected to attend the Summit.

Key issues on the Summit's agenda will include the development of a continent-wide policy on prevention as well as access to care, drugs and support. Participants are also expected to address research in Africa on HIV/AIDS and TB vaccines. In addition, the meeting will include a session commemorating the first anniversary of African Malaria Control Day.