Naz Foundation International

APCOM

Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM)
One of the key felt needs as expressed in the Risks and Responsibilities Asia Pacific consultation meeting (URL: www.nfi.net/risksandresponsibilities/ ..) 23-26 September 2006, New Delhi, India was the development of a tripartite Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health, involving the governments of the region (including the donors and funding support agencies), the communities in the region, and technical experts (both within the UN system and otherwise) to address the deep concerns felt at the meeting on the growing HIV prevalence among males who have sex with males in the region. During the meeting it was clearly recognised that this is a consequence of low levels of investment in MSM and HIV programming (often less than 4%-5% of national investment), low service coverage (less than 10% of those MSM who are vulnerable and at-risk), poor knowledge on the epidemiology, behaviours and sociocultural framework of male-male sex and sexualities, and the very high levels of stigma, discrimination, violence and social exclusion.

At its first Governing Board meeting of APCOM was held between 26-27 July 2007 in Bangkok , Thailand where a constitution was adopted, a Secretariat was establish, goals and objectives were developed, and a 3 year work plan agreed.

Structure of APCOM

Sector	Sub-region
MSM communities	China
	Developed Asia
	Greater Mekong sub-region
	India
	Pacific Region
	South Asia (excluding India )
	S.E Asia (excluding GMS)
Transgender representatives	2 representatives from transgender networks
PLHIV representatives	Representative from the APN+ MSM network
Government	2 representatives nominated by UNAIDS
Funding support agencies	2 representatives nominated by UNAIDS and donors
UN system technical experts	UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO
Chairperson	Board nomination
Secretariat	Ex-officio
Coordinator/Executive Director	Recruited by the Board
Executive management consultant	Recruited by the Board
Communications Advisor	Nominated and appointed by the Board

Sub-regional configurations/areas

Sub-region	Countries
China	China
Developed Asia	Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Macau SAR, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan
Greater Mekong	Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
India	India
Pacific Region	Cook Islands, Easter Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tongo, Tuvalu, Vanuata
	Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
	Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

Guiding Principles

The work of the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health will be guided by the following principles, which have been adapted from the Guiding Principles of the Global Forum on MSM and HIV/AIDS (see URL: www.nfi.net/GlobalForum ...)

• 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.

Areas of emphasis

The Coalition will devote itself to fostering, supporting and sharing information about:

• Country-level, sub-regional and regional action which raises awareness of MSM
   issues, and ensures that national, sub-regional and regional plans and
   strategies incorporate activities for MSM, guarantees MSM and
   transgender representatives having a voice at policy setting forums, and
   mobilises expertise and financial resources.

• Evidence-based research and policy development to address critical
   knowledge gaps and to develop more responsive programme and policy
   recommendations.

• Advocacy through the establishment of effective partnerships with civil society
organizations, government bodies, HIV and AIDS organisations, academia and
  research organisations, and UN agencies.

Link to the APCOM website www.msmasia.org

To download key APCOM documents, click on

• APCOM introduction
• APCOM constitution
• Briefing Note on MSM and HIV Asia Pacific Region

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.

To download the presentations from the Symposium click on

• Dr Carol Jenkins: Culture, biology and male-to-male sex in Asia and the Pacific
• Brad Otto, Constella Futures: HIV expenditure on MSM programming in the Asia-Pacific region

For the 2007 World AIDS Day, APCOM released a statement on new evidence indicating an alarming increase in the incidence of HIV among MSM.
To download click here..

The Value of Investing in MSM Programs in the Asia-Pacific Region USAID Health Policy Initiative and APCOM Policy Brief

A report on MSM and the Pacific Region: An APCOM report

Useful links

8 th ICAAP: www.ICAAP8.lk