APCOM LAUNCHES NEW ‘LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND’ STRATEGY

Amsterdam, Thursday 26 July, 2018: Taking a bold, ambitious and tenacious approach to building a more effective response to the health and rights of gay men, other men who have sex with men and SOGIESC* people in Asia and the Pacific is the focus of a new 2018-2020 strategic framework for regional HIV and rights community network APCOM.

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 SOGIESC* people.

Released last night at a special event during the AIDS 2018 conference in Amsterdam, the new plan is called TENACITY: leaving no one behind strategic framework 2018 – 2020 and details APCOM’s vision for the people and communities it serves as well what outcomes APCOM will work towards achieving by 2020. These objectives are related to three key themes:

• HIV Is Not Over: Strengthening the HIV response for gay men and other men who have sex with men
• Our Rights: Protecting gay men, other men, who have sex with men and SOGIESC people
• Our Strength: Stronger interlinked communities and broader partner networks

Guests at the launch

APCOM will undertake a range of activities to help achieve these goals and these are detailed in a companion document called TENACITY in ACTION: leaving no one behind activity plan 2018 – 2020.

Some of the highlights of these activities include:

• Developing strategic partnerships to scale-up second-generation HIV services across the region.
• Producing a report on systemic gaps/barriers in relation to HIV prevention across the region
• Expanding APCOM’s testXXX HIV testing/prevention education initiative
• Convening regional consultations on scaling up HIV testing services and the introduction of HIV prevention drug PrEP
• Establishing 2020 PrEP usage baselines for countries across the region
• Conducting research into HIV self-testing
• Mobilising technical support for selected legal teams advocating against the criminalization of same-sex relations
• Helping develop a shadow report on HIV stigma for UN’s Human Rights Council
• Supporting teams in Fiji, Mongolia, Nepal and Myanmar to develop Universal Periodic Review reports for the UN’s Human Rights Council
• Developing a business case for an Asia Pacific HIV and Rights Fund

The Chair of APCOM’s Regional Advisory Group Dédé Oetomo said: “The regional representation, coordination and education provided by APCOM is vital to shaping the strategies, policies, research and community organisations that advance the health and rights of the communities which APCOM serves.

“Helping ensure that no one from our communities gets left behind in the pursuit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 – including ending HIV transmission – requires bold vision coupled with achievable action and tenacious dedication. We believe our new plan for APCOM’s work over the next two years meets all these benchmarks and we look forward to implementing the strategy with the support of our partners and stakeholders across the region and throughout the world.”

APCOM RAG Chair Dédé Oetomo , APCOM ED Midnight Poonkasetwattana and APCOM HIV/AIDS Ambassador Prasada Rao

APCOM’s Executive Director Midnight Poonkasetwattana said: “To make the difference that APCOM wants to see in the world requires knowledge, skill, partnerships and, above all, tenacity. Our new strategic framework and activity plan form a valuable road map for focusing APCOM’s work through to the end of 2020 as well as effectively communicating APCOM’s strategic intent and approach as an organisation. This is an essential part of ensuring that best practice underpins APCOM’s work and we thank all our community partners, stakeholders, ambassadors, advisors and staff for their contributions to the development of these plans.”

Former Special Envoy of UN Secretary General for Asia Pacific and APCOM HIV/AIDS Ambassador Prasada Rao said: “The HIV epidemic in Asia Pacific region has predictably moved into key populations, especially among men who have sex with men. But the national responses in Asian countries are lagging behind the epidemic which makes it difficult for them to reach the globally agreed fast track targets. Only a strong regional advocacy approach can help in driving the countries to step up their responses during this critical phase."

Esteemed jurist and academic, former Australian High Court Justice, former UN Human Rights Council Commissioner and APCOM LGBTI Human Rights Ambassador Michael Kirby said: “APCOM is a wonderful organisation. In a sometimes challenging environment, it upholds universal human rights. It nurtures courage and integrity in people who are often vulnerable. It gathers together inspiring examples of leadership and principle. It works tirelessly to build a better world. It creates bridges between healthcare and human rights. I am proud to be an ambassador of this splendid collection of movers and shakers.”

TENACITY: leaving no one behind strategic framework 2018 – 2020

TENACITY in ACTION: leaving no one behind activity plan 2018 – 2020

can be viewed and downloaded on the APCOM website: www.apcom.org/tenacity

Find out more about APCOM’s full schedule of activities at AIDS 2018: www.apcom.org/AIDS2018

ENDS

*SOGIESC people = people and communities of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics

Michael Badorrek, APCOM Snr Mngr Communications and Partnerships
+66 (0)8 3840 1122 | [email protected]