Updated 10 October 2007

ICAAP Reports

The 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 19 - 23 August 2007. Reports from AFAO staff who attended will be online soon.

The epidemiology of HIV and STI among Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender in Asia (PDF 786KB, 25pp) Frits van Griensven's re-analysis of the epidemiology in the region demonstrated that MSM contribution to new HIV infections is up to 30%.

HIV expenditure on MSM programming in the Asia-Pacific region (PDF 154KB 23pp) Constella/Futures analysis demonstrating the disproportionately low funding for MSM programs in the region.

Treatments Access

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS (also known as the Seven Sisters) launched the Minimum Standards for Civil Society Participation in the Universal Access Initiative (MSCVSP) during the 8^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP). MSCVSP is a toolkit to promote meaningful civil society involvement in the Universal Access framework and is a result of collaborative efforts between the seven regional networks forming the Coalition, input from civil society and support from UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific. AFAO was involved as the lead writer and consultant for the document.

The MSCVSP document ismore than a simple toolkit – it makes recommendations for minimum standards and suggests mechanisms to encourage monitoring and evaluation of civil society participation in the Universal Access process. The document is intended to serve as a starting point for civil society groups to assess and promote their participation in national responses, and for national governments to use as guidelines to improve their capacity to reach targets by involving civil society groups. With the presentation of a set of key indicators to track the Universal Access response, the Seven Sisters (7S) hope to assist civil society groups and governments to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of programmes and projects.

A working document is available here (PDF 432KB) and a finalized version will be available in the near future