Question 3.
"Universal Access is not still a public debate in Asia yet". Are there any special initiatives that UNAIDS in Asia is planning to undertake? In collaboration with cosponsors, government, civil society partners, and donors, UNAIDS had steadfastly advocated for universal access since the launch of the initiative. In fact universal access is at the centre of our work in this region and beyond. Following are some past and on-going efforts made on universal access:

• A Regional Consultation on Scaling up towards Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support for Asia and the Pacific was hosted by the Royal Government of Thailand in February, 2006 in Thailand.
  
  
• This was followed by Civil Society Forum in August 2006 in which 8 targets for countries with low/concentrated epidemics were set.
  
  
• Recommended by civil society representatives at the forum, UNAIDS supported the Seven Sisters Coalition to lead the development of a set of minimum standards for civil society participation in the universal access process at the country level.
  
  
• A meeting of 'low prevalence' countries from Asia and Pacific region was convened in October 2007 to develop consensus on a common strategy for reducing infections in a region characterized by epidemics which are concentrated in populations which are at risk or vulnerable.
  
  
• WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS jointly convened a Technical Consultation on Scaling-up HIV testing and counseling in Asia and the Pacific in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in June 2007 to discuss critical actions required to scale up access to HIV testing and counseling in Asia and the Pacific towards Universal Access.
  
  
• The success of UA will largely depend on the availability of timely technical support, the involvement of civil society groups and the availability of funding support. Even when funding is available, efforts to scale up will require timely delivery of technical support. The UN is committed to provide the technical support needed for a wide variety of needs, mobilised through a broad coalition of partners such as the joint UN Teams, the Technical Support Facilities, ASAP, ADB and the World Bank.
  
  

The highlights of events that are planned for 2008 are:

• ESCAP and UNAIDS Regional Support Team (RST) is jointly organizing an Expert Group Meeting on progress on the International Commitment on the AIDS response in Asia and Pacific Region, to be held in May 2008. ESCAP Committee on Emerging Social Issues meeting planned in late 2008, which will be an ideal event for advocacy of key actions among member states.
  
  
• UNAIDS RST has committed to sponsor a Civil Society Consultation meeting for preparation of their participation at the High Level Meeting in late April 2008 in Bangkok.
  
  
• Support endorsement and implementation of the "minimum standard of civil society participation in the universal access process" tool in all countries in the region.