A/RES/55/13 coordination and the intensification of national, regional and international efforts to combat it in a comprehensive manner; 2. Confirms that the special session will be open for participation to all States Members of the United Nations and observers, in accordance with the established practice of the General Assembly, and urges Member States and observers to ensure their representation at the special session at the highest political level; 3. Decides to invite States members of the specialized agencies that are not members of the United Nations to participate in the work of the special session in the capacity of observers; 4. Decides also that the special session shall be composed of plenary meetings, as well as interactive round-table meetings, the organization, number and themes of which will be finalized during the preparatory process, to discuss, inter alia, issues such as HIV/AIDS in Africa, international funding and cooperation, the social and economic impact of the epidemic, human rights and AIDS, including reduction of the stigma related to AIDS, the gender-specific impacts of AIDS, especially on women and girls, HIV/AIDS prevention, including development of microbicides, improved access to care and treatment including drugs, protection and care of children affected by AIDS, in particular orphans, scientific research and vaccine development, expanded public/private sector partnerships and the building and strengthening of national capacities to combat HIV/AIDS, including the development of national action plans and their implementation, with each interactive meeting to be held in concurrence with a plenary meeting; 5. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary administrative arrangements towards the convening of the special session; 6. Also requests the Secretary-General to make available all necessary documentation in a timely manner for the special session; 7. Encourages all entities of the United Nations system, including programmes, funds, the specialized agencies and the regional commissions, to be involved actively in the preparatory activities and to participate at the highest level in the special session, including through presentations on best practices and different experiences in addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS, obstacles encountered and possible strategies for overcoming them, as well as further initiatives, methods, practical activities and specific measures to strengthen national, regional and international efforts and cooperation, taking into account the different ways of addressing the problem of HIV/AIDS; 8. Decides to convene, within the framework of the preparatory process for the special session, open-ended informal consultations of the plenary, chaired by the President of the General Assembly, to undertake, as appropriate, preparations for the special session, including elaboration of a draft declaration of commitment and other relevant documents for consideration during the special session, to further address the modalities and other organizational matters of the special session, with a view to submitting proposals for final decision by the Assembly, and to organize other relevant activities to contribute to the preparations for the special session, and invites the President of the General Assembly to appoint, in consultation with Member States, two facilitators to assist in carrying out these consultations with the effective participation of all countries; 2