HIV/AIDS

9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific

Under the theme, "Empowering People, Strengthening Networks" the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), will bring together people from throughout Asia and the Pacific to share knowledge, skills, ideas, and research findings related to HIV and AIDS. During the congress, the ILO is to address workers' vulnerabilities to HIV in Asia and the Pacific including sessions on the impact of the global economic crisis on migration and HIV, skills-building sessions on communications, advocacy and stopping discrimination in the workplace. At the same time, the ILO will also examine how a new [draft] ILO human rights instrument will help address the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Background


For more than 20 years countries around the world have faced the AIDS epidemic more or less alone. Best practices have been documented to help countries deal with their specific epidemics, but as the world becomes more globalized and country borders become more fluid, interventions that address mobility, migration and global and regional responses become more important.

The empowerment of people – both HIV-positive and HIV-negative vulnerable to HIV – and the strengthening of networks - PLHIV groups, faith-based organizations, communities, governments, regions, sectors, as well as individuals - are important components to addressing this change.

With increased mobility in-country and across borders, nations can no longer expect to work alone in its response to HIV and AIDS.

Regional and international cooperation is needed to address HIV transmission among migrant populations. Strong networks are of utmost importance when countries need effective interventions to halt the epidemic in its tracks.

The 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali in August 2009 aims to address, among others, issues of mobility, migration, as well as gender and people with disabilities in order to empower the people and strengthen networks to effectively respond to AIDS.

Link to ICAAP’s website: www.icaap9.org/