South East Asia (excluding GMS)

* In regard to the positioning of Australia and New Zealand in the above configurations, it is proposed to create a permanent Observer sub-region called Australasia , which will consist of these two countries.

• Enabling environment. The inter-related co-factors for HIV risk, vulnerability, and disparities in access to care, treatment and prevention education, coupled with social discrimination and individual rights issues, have a common basis in the significant lack of services and coverage faced by MSM. We believe that an enabling environment is the key to the health and well being of MSM and their families.
• Evidence informed: MSM HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment programs and policy should be guided by a nuanced
  understanding based on evidenced scientific information.
• Strength-based. Programmatic and policy responses often frame the HIV and AIDS problem in negative ways and stigmatise MSM and transgenders; we believe that effective responses to the HIV and AIDS epidemic directed at MSM must acknowledge and build
  upon the strengths, competencies, and resources that such persons possess .
• Affirming sexualities and acknowledging sexual behaviours at risk. We believe that the reality of sexualities, gender expression, and the risks involved in certain sexual behaviours need open acknowledgement. All MSM have the right to healthy and fulfilling sex lives and to access community driven HIV interventions - prevention, care and support, and treatment - free from judgement and persecution. There needs to be a   healthy and productive relationship between the community and governments, based on mutuality of respect, positive involvement and honest flow of information.
• Community driven interventions. Self-organising and open participation in the provision of appropriate HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment services for MSM is important in our work to end HIV and AIDS. We believe in supporting and respecting self-determination and self-initiated HIV and AIDS programmatic and policy responses.
• Involvement. There must be greater involvement of MSM including HIV positive MSM and HIV positive transgender people, in programme planning and policy development arenas. There must also be equal support and participation by governments, funders, and technical experts. We believe that HIV and AIDS programme and policy responses are strengthened by ensuring inclusion, parity and representation.
• Resources. There is an urgent need to significantly increase investment, funding, capacity, and technical support for HIV programming directed at MSM and transgenders. At a minimum, we believe that funding should be at a level commensurate with the impact left by HIV and AIDS on these groups as compared to the general population.

To download key APCOM documents, click on

• APCOM introduction
• APCOM constitution
• APCOM 3 year work programme
  

During the 8 th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (19-23 August 2007), APCOM was officially launched, as well as hosting a major symposium on The missing piece: MSM and national responses to AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, co-chaired by Mr JVR Prasada Rao, Director, Asia Pacific Regional Support Team, UNAIDS, and Shivananda Khan, Naz Foundation International.

for more details please visit: www.msmasia.org

• Brad Otto, Constella Futures: HIV expenditure on MSM programming in the Asia-Pacific region
• Swarup Sarkar, UNAIDS: Way forward- responding to HIV epidemic among MSM and transgender population in the region
• Dr. Frits van Griensven: The epidemiology of HIV and STI among men who have sex with men and Transgender in Asia
• Dr. Carol Jenkins: Culture, biology and male-to-male sex in Asia and the Pacific