The wording of the political declaration, which is due to be adopted at the close of the three-day meeting, has been the subject of intense negotiation between UN member states as well as civil action groups attending the conference.
A fresh draft copy showed what UN officials close to the negotiations described as notable progress toward agreement on some particularly sensitive issues.
One official noted that the document made repeated references to "vulnerable groups", a term referring to sex workers, drug users and homosexual men who are deemed most at risk to HIV infection.
Although the reference was not explicit in listing the groups, the official suggested that its inclusion represented a victory over countries opposed to recognising what they deem to be unacceptable anti-social behaviour.
He also highlighted specific mention in the draft of the importance of access to male and female condoms, another reference frowned on by conservative nations wary of being seen to promote promiscuity.
While acknowledging that there were still "a number of disputes" over gender issues, such as the empowerment of women, the officials pointed to "stronger language" in the draft recognising that gender inequalities and violence against women and girls increased their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The final declaration will be ratified by the UN General Assembly, but the officials said the presence of more than 1,000, well organised civil society groups had put a lot of pressure on the governments involved.
"That obviously changed the dynamics of the discussion," one official said.
He said that the Swedish president of the General Assembly, Jan Eliasson, was aware of concerns among action groups that the document might shy away from concrete commitments.
"The president was very clear that he wants a declaration tomorrow (Friday), but not a declaration at any price," the official said. "This has to be a strong declaration that responds to the realities of HIV and AIDS our in the world."
As well as gender issues, the officials said there was continued debate over funding levels, which some countries argued should be linked to good governance so as to ensure the money reaches those in need.
Another area of dispute concerned the degree of flexibility accorded to developing nations in producing cheap, generic versions of anti-retroviral drugs patented by major pharmaceutical companies.