Voices of Change

Asia and the Pacific’s AIDS response is showing mixed results, with each country in the region facing a different situation. While progress is being made in countries such as Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand, in others, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, the rate of new HIV infections is increasing. New HIV infections are concentrated among key populations at higher risk, which include people who inject drugs, female and male sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men, and transgender people.

However, positive changes are taking place around the region, due to strong leadership and enhanced community education, advocacy, and access to treatment. In fact, leadership has not just come from the quarters of government or intergovernmental groups, but also civil society, including young people.