Asia Pacific LGBTQI and HIV community from 10 countries attend APCOM Community Summit

APCOM celebrates its 15^th year of community service in Asia-Pacific. APCOM’s work in 35 countries addresses HIV, health, rights and well-being of people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, expressions and sexual characteristics. To mark this special year, we are organizing APCOM COMMUNITY SUMMIT 2022 on 23-25 November 2022.

For the first time in two years after the Covid-19 pandemic, APCOM convenes LGBTQI, HIV and community health advocates, professionals and corporate sector from the Asia-Pacific Region. The Summit is expected to host approximately 60 participants, including 32 community-led organizations from 10 countries in the region including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, PNG, Thailand, and Vietnam). During these three days, we are organizing 6 community-led sessions covering 2 thematic areas e.g. SOGIESC Diversity and Inclusion, and HIV Programming and Advocacy.

“During the sessions for SOGIESC Diversity and Inclusion, we have thought leaders, diversity and inclusion practitioners, the private sector and voices from the LGBTQI communities discuss LGBTQI social and economic inclusion. We need to deepen discussions, collaborations and the development of a roadmap outlining how to forge alliances between the private sector and the LGBTQI community, for meaningful engagement as the private sector has the power to influence policy to be more LGBTQI inclusive in the workplace, in the economy and help support and advance LGBTQI rights,”

commented APCOM Executive Director, Midnight.

“The Asia and Pacific region is at great risk of failing to meet the goal to end AIDS by 2030. Maintaining the current rate of progress and levels of investment is not an option. To get the regional response back on track to end AIDS by 2030 we must renew and intensify the focus on key populations in policies and programmes, modernize HIV service delivery, eliminate barriers to equitable programme coverage among the most marginalized communities, and mobilize sustainable domestic financing for prevention,”

he added. 

Check out the Programme Overview and Session Description Details for more information about the sessions

This face to face Summit since the Covid-19 pandemic features a future focused agenda of exploration, evaluation and inspiration across a broad range of issues affecting the HIV, health, rights and wellbeing of the LGBTQI community. Some highlights includes:

•   Community Convening for PEPFAR Strategy and COP/ROP 2023
•   Sharing of experience of DE&I by private sector representatives
•   PrEP CAB-LA, HIVST and ART implementation studies and guidelines updates 
•   LGBTQI decriminalisation in Asia, and trans and intersex recognition in Thailand

To move forward we need to engage with all these issues on a regional level and the APCOM Community Summit provides exactly that – an opportunity for members, stakeholders and influencers of the Asia-Pacific HIV, LGBTQI and human rights sectors to focus their knowledge, skills and networks on reinvigorating our vital mission here in the region.

The APCOM Community Summit is being generously supported by a range of stakeholders including: Canadian Embassy, the Netherlands Embassy, Global Affairs Canada, PEPFAR/USAID/EpiC, ViiV Healthcare, and Voice.

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Look back at our previous Community Summits  

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