Overview of the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue

16-17 February 2011, Bangkok, Thailand

Policy makers, and community advocates joined some of the world’s most respected legal, human rights and HIV experts in Bangkok on February 16-17 for the Asia Pacific Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. Four Commissioners from the region participated in the Dialogue: Commissioners Kirby, Kidu , Rao and Ungphakron; as well as 1 Technical Advisory Group Member: Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn. The United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia & the Pacific, Dr. Nafis Sadik, and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé also participated and UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark sent a video message.

The Dialogue participants discussed and debated restrictive and enabling legal and social environments experienced by people living with HIV, other key populations and those vulnerable to HIV in the Asia and the Pacific. The experiences and knowledge shared at the Dialogue with the Commissioners will help to shape the Commission’s thinking and recommendations and influence the HIV response in the Asia Pacific region.

A press conference was held on Wednesday, 16 February at 11 a.m. on the first day of the Regional Dialogue, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok, including the participation of 3 Commissioners from the region: The Hon. Michael Kirby, Dame Carol Kidu, and Mr. Jon Ungphakorn; UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibé; and Dr. Mandeep Dhaliwal, Cluster Leader: HIV, Health, Human Rights & Governance, UNDP, acting as the moderator.