The AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific (ASAP) is pleased to announce the publication of Guidelines for Prospective Hosts of Future International Congresses on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP-Guidelines).

ASAP is a primary co-sponsor of the biennial International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) that was born from the first Congress in Canberra, Australia in 1990. Subsequent ICAAPs have been held in New Delhi (1993), Chiang Mai (1995), Manila (1997), Kuala Lumpur (1999) and Melbourne (2001). The next ICAAP will be held on 1 to 5 July 2005 in Kobe, Japan and preparations are ongoing to ensure that it will be a success. ICAAP plays one major part of the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia and the Pacific. It provides an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and knowledge in search of more effective strategies that enhance political commitment towards eliminating the epidemic.

Organising and administering an ICAAP requires a shared commitment through collaborative planning and cooperative engagement from: government, civil society, academia and international organisations, such as the United Nations. Additionally, past ICAAPs have demonstrated that early commitment and planning promotes better dialogue and feedback within the constituencies of stakeholders on Local Organising Committees. It provides an opportunity in the preparatory period for stakeholders to focus and strengthen national HIV/AIDS responses, including the empowerment of vulnerable or stigmatised groups, which then can be showcased at the Congress. This is particularly important for communities and individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Accordingly, the ICAAP-Guidelines will assist those interested in hosting a future ICAAP event. They provide:
• background information on ICAAP;
• two case studies-Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne;
• what to consider when seeking to Bid to host ICAAP;
• reporting requirements; and,
• checklist of important timelines.

The ICAAP-Guidelines may be downloaded from this website.