From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

A statement from USAIDS said that the meeting would hold between today and June 2, at the UN headquarters in New York.

It read in part: "The 2006 high level meeting on AIDS will assess the international response to the epidemic. More than a dozen Heads of State and Government and over 100 Ministers are expected to attend, as well as more than a thousand representatives of civil society and the private sector. "

The statement added that the meeting would also identify common challenges to increasing national AIDS response.

"Member States will consider recommendations on how to scale-up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it," it said.

It disclosed that almost 800 civil society groups have been granted special accreditation to the meeting, an unprecedented number for such a gathering, and many more are expected to attend as part of organizations already accredited to the UN or as part of national delegations. A hearing will be held to provide an opportunity for civil society to exchange views with member states.

The statement noted that the forum would make room for a presentation from a person living with the HIV/AIDS to provide reality to the gathering.

"For the first time, a person living with HIV will address the General Assembly plenary. Other speakers include the President of the General Assembly, Jan Eliasson; the UN Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Peter Piot," the statement added.

The 2006 high level meeting on AIDS will feature a series of panel discussions as well as roundtables on a range of critical topics, including financing a scaled-up AIDS response and overcoming stigma and discrimination.

According to the statement, "building on these discussions, a political declaration will be adopted at the close of the meeting on 2 June."

"An Evening of Remembrance and Hope: Uniting the World Against AIDS, will take place June 1 in the General Assembly Hall," it stated.

The event will remember the 25 years of AIDS and the heroes who have shaped the AIDS response.

Speakers include Noerine Kaleeba, Naomi Watts, Iryna Borisheck, Mary Fisher and Whoopi Goldberg. The event will also include performances by Wyclef Jean, Salman Ahmad, the African Children's Choir and Angelique Kidjo.

A photo opportunity and press conference have been tentatively scheduled to precede the event.