PEPFAR ROP/COP 2022 was officially opened on 28 February 2022, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks, “You can count on us to support PEPFAR so we can end the AIDS epidemic around the world.” The Asia Region ROP 22 meetings are under way.
APCOM Executive Director, Midnight, delivered remarks on behalf of civil society organizations in the Asia Pacific region for the opening session.
“COP/ROP22 guidance, and the Operational Unit specific Planning Level Letters are amazing, but is there funding for it? We need to see budgets that aligns with the reality: Key Populations represent a majority of the HIV infections globally at 62%, in Asia Pacific, 98% of all new HIV cases occurs among key populations and their sexual partners.”
In the Asia Pacific region, PEPFAR supports 13 countries with the aim of reaching epidemic control of HIV, where the number of new HIV cases falls below the declining number of deaths among people living with HIV.
“We very much appreciate PEPFAR’s investment in the MSM and trans communities in Laos, especially for community-led models, and innovations such as HIV self-testing and PrEP. We hope that the key populations in Laos and in the Asia Region will not be left behind.”
Viengakhone Souriyo, Executive Director, Community Health and Inclusion Association, Laos
APCOM together with Regional Key Population Networks; APN+, APNSW, ICWAP, NAPUD, Youth LEAD, and country civil society organisations, key populations networks and organizations came together to ensure that key populations and communities are able to participate and contribute to these forums. Discussions centered on PEPFAR’s commitment to prioritise and expand key population-led service delivery, human rights for key populations, and for increased funding to supporting key population-led advocacy for policy change, and structural interventions for an enabling environment.
One way to make this participation a reality is to make accessible to country partners useful resources and strategic information.
Tools we have developed are:
Factsheet: Country Operational Plans 2022
This is for Increasing Key Populations’ Knowledge on, and Participation in the country PEPFAR discussions.
COP/ROP22 Country Key Population ASKS
This is a briefing note for community advocates and activists with key asks when participating in the PEPFAR discussions.
“The Regional Key Population Networks in the Asia Region have been working together with APCOM to help our communities understand the ROP/COP 2022 processes and the priorities for our region. PEPFAR must protect the gains made through sustaining key population-led services and more should be done to tackle policy, structural barriers, stigma and discrimination for key populations and people living with HIV, as our region is falling behind the global AIDS response.”
Harry Probowo, Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+)
APCOM extends sincere gratitude to our community partners in the countries. Without your trust and confidence in the work that we do, we are not able to continue to provide useful resources and technical assistance. We acknowledge the contributions and inputs of our key populations and community partners into these processes.
Thank you to the following regional key population networks for their active collaboration:
