APCOM TO HIGHTLIGHT ASIA PACIFIC AT AIDS 2018 CONFERENCE

Bangkok, Wednesday 18 July 2018: Asia Pacific HIV and rights community network APCOM is gearing up for a full schedule of activities at the world’s biggest global HIV conference AIDS 2018 which takes place next week in Amsterdam.

Based in Bangkok, APCOM represents and works with over 200 community organisations across 38 countries throughout Asia and the Pacific to inform and improve the response across the region to HIV, human rights and other related issues for gay men, other men who have sex with men and LGBT* people.

APCOM is producing, supporting or participating in a range of sessions, events and activities during the week-long conference and its associated pre-conference proceedings. A full schedule of APCOM’s activities is available at: apcomaids2018.org

APCOM Executive Director Midnight Poonkasetwattana said: “The AIDS 2018 conference provides APCOM and our partners with a valuable opportunity to highlight the issues affecting our communities in Asia and the Pacific as well as showcase the outstanding work being undertaken in our region by HIV, health and rights advocates.

“It is particularly important for us to continue raising the issues of community funding and sustainability in the region where so much innovation happens, and we want to ensure that investment into the community is sustained in the long run.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with activists, researchers, policymakers and other influencers of the global HIV response and achieving some meaningful outcomes that will further the interests of the people and communities we serve across Asia and the Pacific.”

Highlights of APCOM’s AIDS 2018 agenda include:

APCOM Strategic Framework 2018-2020 Launch

25 Jul | Partner Event

APCOM’s new strategic framework details the vision and action that will guide APCOM’s work through to the end of 2020. The bold and ambitious plan has been developed in close consultation with community partners, international donors and other organisational stakeholders.

PrEP MAP Launch

26 Jul | 11 to 12.30 | Asia Pacific Networking Zone | Global Village | Booth #505

APCOM’s latest PrEP resource will provide a comprehensive guide for community members across Asia and the Pacific to understand, access and advocate for PrEP.

HIV Testing Session

25 Jul | 13:30 -15.30 | Room F003, RAI Congress Center (Entrance F, Jade lounge)

This session will include a presentation on how APCOM’s testXXX initiative is increasing the HIV testing uptake among young gay men in Yogyakarta and Hong Kong.

HIV Financing Session

24 Jul | 11 – 12:30 | Asia Pacific Networking Zone | Global Village | Booth #505

This inter-regional dialogue will consider how to sustain the community response to HIV in the age of HIV financing in transition, the focus APCOM’s Sustainable HIV Financing In Transition (SHIFT) program. The session will feature representatives from ECOM, SOMOSGAY, MPACT, UNAIDS and AFAO.

HIV Self-Testing Session

25 Jul | 11 – 12:30 | Asia Pacific Networking Zone | Global Village | Booth #505

This session will focus on understanding the values and preferences of transgender people and men who have sex with men in relation to HIV self-testing and partner notification in Indonesia, Pakistan, The Philippines and Thailand.

Gender-Based Violence And Humanitarian Responses Presentation

24 Jul | 12:30 – 14:30 | Poster Exhibition Area, Hall 1

This poster presentation will explore gender-based violence against transgender people and men who have sex with men in humanitarian settings and its impact on their access to health care.

Asia Pacific Networking Zone

23 – 27 Jul | Global Village | Booth #505

APCOM is coordinating a special venue in the AIDS2018 Global Village to highlight and showcase the work of other Asia Pacific community networks. The zone will host panel discussions, presentations and screenings throughout the conference.

APCOM Booth

23 – 27 Jul | Global Village | Booth #626

Come and visit us at the APCOM Booth to find about more about APCOM’s programmes, meet our friendly team members and pick up some fun giveaways.

The full schedule of APCOM’s AIDS2018 activities is available at: apcomaids2018.org

Follow APCOM at AIDS 2018 on social media: #APCOMAIDS2018 | #APCOM |@APCOM

The full AIDS 2018 schedule of APCOM Executive Director Midnight Poonkasetwattana is available at: apcomaids2018.org

Find out more about our engagement at AIDS 2016: https://apcom.org/2016/07/13/apcom-executive-directors-engagement-aids-2016/

Find out more about our engagement at AIDS 2014: https://apcom.org/2014/10/10/apcom-engagement-at-aids-2014/

Check out APCOM’s 2017 Annual Update for a summary of our work and achievements over 2017: https://apcom.org/2018/07/17/apcom-annual-update-2017/

ENDS: Michael Badorrek, APCOM Snr Mngr Communications and Partnerships

+66 (0)8 3840 1122 | [email protected]