Asia Pacific People's Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (APPACHA)
Regional planning and co-ordination meeting

4th DECEMBER 2004

VENUE : Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi

The battle against HIV/AIDS in Asia received a new boost with health
activists, people living with HIV/AIDS, social workers, trade unions,
student movements and professionals from across Asia launching Asia
Pacific People's Alliance for Combating HIV & AIDS (APPACHA). APPACHA
aims to develop a multi sectoral partnership of people infected and
affected by HIV/AIDS, local and national health and development NGOs,
trade unions, student movements, and other progressive associations.

APPACHA is envisaged as an Asian alliance that amplifies the voice to
marginal groups who bear the brunt of the HIV infection. "In this
violent world, we feel powerless as individuals. But we can feel
empowered when we see that issues that worry us become a common
concern," said Prof Surichi Wun Gaeo of Chulalongkorn University,
Bangkok, who chaired the meeting.

A working group was empowered to develop a work plan and appropriate
structures and by laws to take this initiative forward. The working
group was asked to present a detailed work plan and recommendations on
an appropriate organizational strategy at a follow up meeting to be
held in December.

Since its beginning, APPACHA discussions were held in Nepal, Pakistan
and India and National Chapters were born in Pakistan, Nepal,
Thailand, Bangladesh and India. It is decided to formally launch the
Indian Chapter on 4th December, 2004.

The Regional Meet on 4th aims at

• Identifying Key issues within HIV and AIDS which PPACHA can take up
for campaigning in 2005.
• To finalize a work plan of APPACHA for 2005.
• To finalize the regional Governance plan of APPACHA


For details please contact <appacha@...>