Note No. 5931
12 April 2005

Note to Correspondents

Former President Clinton, Media Leaders to Exchange Ideas on Combating HIV/AIDS on 12 April

NEW YORK, 11 April (UN Headquarters) -- Former United States President William J. Clinton will address more than three dozen media leaders from around the world, gathered in Cannes, France, at a UN-organized meeting, to explore ways to advance the fight against AIDS.  He will join the gathering through a satellite link from United Nations Headquarters in New York on 12 April at 8 a.m. New York time, 2 p.m. Cannes time.

President Clinton will talk about his work, through his Foundation, in fighting HIV/AIDS and will exchange ideas with the media leaders who are meeting at MIP TV, the world’s largest television market, as part of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) at the invitation of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

This gathering in Cannes comes 15 months after the Secretary-General brought together 22 media leaders at United Nations Headquarters in New York in January 2004, to focus attention on how their companies could contribute to the fight against AIDS.  Those attending executives pledged their companies’ commitment and resources to raise public awareness and understanding about HIV/AIDS.

Note to Media

This live discussion will be available to all interested broadcasters by line feed or recording.  Broadcasters interested in obtaining a feed or tape should contact James Ludlam at the United Nations Department of Public Information in New York, telephone +1-212-963-7650.

The GMAI meeting of leading television executives will take place in the Hotel Majestic in Cannes on 12 April and will be followed by a photo call at noon and a press conference from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Majestic.  President Clinton will be the keynote speaker at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Press Contacts

In New York:  Susan Markham, UN Department of Public Information, tel.: +1 212 963 6862; in Cannes, Newton Kanhema, UN Department of Public Information, tel.:  +1-917-428-4044.

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