October 13, 2000 – Monday, October 23, 2000, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will hold its Fourth Annual Race Against Poverty Awards at the United Nations General Assembly from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grammy Award-winning superstar and MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM III spokesperson Mary J. Blige will headline the event. This year's Race Against Poverty Awards will honor individuals from all over the world for their work towards breaking the silence surrounding HIV/AIDS. It is the goal of the Awards to draw attention to this devastating epidemic, by calling on dignitaries, diplomats, and corporations across the globe to build a coalition to eliminate the HIV/AIDS crisis which threatens the economic and social fabrics of the entire planet.

United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies. Attendees and awards presenters include Secretary General of the United Nations H. E. Kofi Annan, President of MAC Cosmetics John Demsey, UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown, Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer (South Africa), Author and Actress Misako Konno (Japan) and Soccer sensation Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima (Brazil). Also helping to celebrate the awards through musical performances will be Afro-pop sensation Youssou N' Dour, Benin Africa's diva Angelique Kidjo and the critically acclaimed Soweto String Quartet.

MAC Cosmetics raises money and awareness of HIV/AIDS through the efforts of the MAC AIDS Fund and more specifically through the sale of MAC's VIVA GLAM lipsticks and Kids Helping Kids greeting cards. Earlier this year, Mary J. Blige, along with hip-hop superstar Lil' Kim, signed on as the MAC VIVA GLAM III spokesperson. VIVA GLAM I, II, and III lipsticks are the primary fundraising tool for the MAC AIDS Fund with 100 percent of the $13.50 selling price directly donated. The Fund which supports women, men and children living with HIV/AIDS by supplying them with day-to-day essentials including food, clothing and healthcare. This past March, MAC Cosmetics through the MAC AIDS Fund established a partnership with the UNDP by donating $500,000 to heighten awareness and support existing programs related to HIV/AIDS throughout Africa. On October 23rd, the MAC Aids Fund will also donate an additional $250,000 to the UNDP to benefit local programs in Africa.

MAC (Make-up Art Cosmetics), the leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and is now part of The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (NYSE: EL). MAC is sold in over 30 countries worldwide.