Since the outbreak of the pandemic in our region, the spread of HIV is at an alarming rate. It is even said that in a few years to come, without immediate measures and actions to be undertaken, an explosion of HIV infection will be unavoidable. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is causing serious impact on countries and people in the ASEAN region. Recognizing the need for regional action to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, in the Summit Meeting held in Singapore in 1992, the ASEAN Leaders decided to set up an ASEAN Task Force on AIDS to coordinate activities by Member Countries. The 1995 Summit Meeting in Bangkok while reviewing ASEAN cooperation on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, made clear that "ASEAN shall continue to strengthen collective response to the problem and challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, including mobilization of resources to support implementation of priority activities". More importantly, all activities in this regard are being geared towards the realization of the ASEAN Vision 2020 which was adopted by the ASEAN Leaders at their second ASEAN Informal Summit held in December 1997 in Kuala Lumpur. The ASEAN Leaders envisioned to have built by the year 2020 a community of societies, that cares, among others for people living with HIV/AIDS in order to alleviate the suffering of the HIV positive and those living with AIDS.

2. The 6th meeting of the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS (ATF0A) was held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 27 to 29 October 1998. The Meeting, which was hosted by the National AIDS Committee of Vietnam, has provided a timely opportunity to Member Countries to take stock of what has been done and plan what needs to be done next in pursuance of the decisions of the ASEAN Leaders.

3. Carrying out the decisions of the ASEAN Leaders, in the recent years,the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS (ATFOA) has been undertaking a number of significant activities. In 1995, it formulated the ASEAN Regional Programme on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, which serves as the foundation for regional cooperative activities. The Regional Programme includes ten proposal activities for regional implementation.

Medium-Term Work Programme to Operationalize the ASEAN Regional Work Programme on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control

4. To put into practice the above Regional Programme, Member Countries, with funding and technical support from UNAIDS, formulated the Medium-Term Work Programme which was endorsed in August 1998. The Work Programme is a document with a set of project proposals, the implementation of which are expected to achieve the following: a) to prevent HIV transmission; b) to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection and AIDS; and c) to share information and experiences among the Member Countries.

Project Proposals in the Medium-Term Work Programme

Projects Implemented over the Past Year

5. At a time when the Work Programme was being finalized, the Member Countries had already agreed not to wait but to go ahead with the implementation of a number of projects either with funding available from ASP-5 Sub-Programme on Human Development or on a cost-sharing basis. The following projects were implemented:

ASEAN Regional Seminar on Strenghening GO/NGOs/Private Sector/Community Collaboration in AIDS Education, Prevention and Treatment

5.1. The above-mentioned Regional Seminar was held in November 1997 in Manila. A major output from the Regional Seminar was the draft guidelines on Strengthening and Enhancing Collaboration in HIV/AIDS Education, Prevention aud Care Among Government Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Private Sector and Communities in the ASEAN Member Countries, which was subsequently approved by Member Countries. The Guidelines aim at mobilizing all partners in the society in an endeavour to prevent and control the spread of HIV and to provide care to those people who are living with AIDS.

Workshop on Establishment of ASEAN Regional AIDS Information and Research Reference Centre

5.2. The Workshop, which was held in Bangkok in December 1997, agreed to establish a computerized network among National AIDS Programmes of Member Countries with Thailand being the Coordinating Country. It was also agreed that Member Countries assign a focal point on information sharing and provide contact details to Thailand as the Coordinating Country and to other Member Countries. Thailand was requested to collate information contributions from respective Member Countries, to chair annual review meetings participated by Member Countries in order to assess the needs and progress of networking activities and to seek assistance, funding or services that will respond to the needs of member Countries.

ASEAN Experts Group Meeting on Multidisciplinary Studies Related to HIV/AIDS

5.3. The Meeting was held from 27 to 29 May 1998 in Manila. The Meeting agreed to implement the following studies for a two year period :

1. that during the first year of implementation:

   1. all countries would prioritise the "Study on the Impact of Economic Crisis on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Progranimes;

   2. Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos will look into "Assessment of IEC Materials in Terms of its Appropriateness and Effectiveness";

   3. Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines will conduct "Cross-Cultural Studies for Condom Promotion Using Different Structures and Mechanisms";

2. that in the second year, "Operation Research on the Appropriate Model for Community-Based Care for the HIV/AIDS Patients" will be implemented.

ASEAN Seminar on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Among the ASEAN Youth

5.4. The Seminar on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Among the ASEAN Youth was held from 8 to 11 October 1998 in Kedah, Malaysia. The objectives of the Seminar is to introduce and promote AIDS education and awareness programme among the youth in the ASEAN Member Countries; to share and exchange information and experiences in HIV/AIDS prevention activities among the youth in the region; and finally to develop networking in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention work among the youth in the Member Countries. The Seminar was successfully held, thus contributing to the promotion of awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention education among the youth.

6. Over the years, Member Countries have continued to strengthen regional response to problems and challenges caused by HIV/AIDS problem by undertaking a number of activities. Owing to the enhanced regional cooperation, significant headway has been attained in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The successful completion of the 6th Meeting of the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS has shown that Member Countries have renewed their strong commitment to work together, particularly at a time, when the region is facing a financial and economic crisis.

7. The 6th ATFOA Meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. Observers from Cambodia, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and UNAIDS were also in attendance.

Hanoi, Vietnam, 29 October 1998