Contributor:
AFAO Team
Whilst Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Program-2 (SKPA-2) officially started on 1 July 2022, a kick-off workshop was held in Bangkok in mid-August which really helped set the wheels in motion. The workshop brought together SKPA-2 subrecipients, AFAO/SKPA-2 staff plus key stakeholders such as representatives from the Global Fund, UNAIDS, WHO amongst others.
During the workshop each of the SKPA-2 program objectives was explored in detail. Key information regarding implementation processes and procedures were covered including financial aspects along with each subrecipient presenting their plan to undertake activities in Year 1.
Being able to meet face to face was exciting but also incredibly valuable to help form important connections which will add strength to the life of the SKPA-2 program.
Connected to the workshop was the inaugural meeting of the Regional Steering Committee. The Regional Steering Committee is an independent advisory committee tasked with providing strategic leadership and guidance to the SKPA-2 program, at both national and regional levels, ensuring that the participating country HIV strategies guide grant activities, assisting with identifying and removing bottlenecks to effective implementation and facilitating cross-regional learning.
The Committee is chaired by UNAIDS Asia-Pacific and members comprise government and civil society representative from the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of each country, representatives from World Health Organisation, World Bank Global Practice Team, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT).
Meeting four times each year, the Committee will play an active and critical role in the implementation of SKPA-2. AFAO would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Committee for their involvement.
