An ASEAN Work Programme on HIV and AIDS for the period of 2011-2015 has been endorsed to guide the region's initiatives to combat the spread of HIV and mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS across the region. Regional policy advocacy on priority issues; capacity building and information sharing among ASEAN Member States; and leveraging access to affordable HIV-related care and treatment services in the region are three major thrusts to be implemented identified in the Work Programme.
The Work Programme, in addition, would contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular the sixth goal which is to combat HIV/AIDS. The MDGs are eight internationally-recognised development goals to be achieved by 2015, many of which resonate with the goals of ASEAN. The Work Programme was endorsed at the 18th ASEAN Task Force on AIDS (ATFOA) Meeting held on 23-26 November 2010 in Phnom Penh.
Apart from the Work Programme, ASEAN's other efforts in addressing the impact of HIV in the region have also been making progress. The first ASEAN Regional Report on HIV and AIDS, which was reviewed at the Meeting, indicated that an estimated 1.54 million ASEAN nationals are living with HIV as of end of 2009, a decrease from 1.58 million in 2007.
The Report highlighted varying levels of HIV epidemic affecting the ASEAN region. Most ASEAN Member States have implemented effective prevention programmes targeting key affected populations such as sex workers, injecting drug users, as well as vulnerable migrants. The Report also called for a sustained collaboration to remove the barriers in the prevention of the spread of HIV and to sustain AIDS treatment and care.
The 18th ATFOA Meeting was opened by the Minister of Health of Cambodia, H.E. Dr Mam Bun Heng. Apart from ASEAN Member States, representatives of core partners such as UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and SAARC Secretariat, and regional civil society organisations such as APCASO, CARAM Asia, APN+ and Seven Sisters, were also in attendance. The Meeting was organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and led by Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.