Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Services Organizations (APCASO)

The Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organisations (APCASO) is a network of non-government and community-based organisations that provide HIV/AIDS services within the Asia and the Pacific region.

CBOs have been involved in the HIV/AIDS epidemic at local and global levels and are one of the most distinctive features of the response to the epidemic. CBOs are based in and are made up of people from the most affected communities. Furthermore, CBOs are able to reflect and anticipate needs at the local level, which give them a unique perspective and function in the formulation of effective and appropriate responses to HIV/AIDS. In this light, APCASO was formally organised in 1992.

APCASO is active at the global level through links with regional networks and other regional bodies; and at local levels through the work of its national focal points, members of the Council of Representatives (COR).

Currently, within the framework of its 2010-14 Strategic Plan, APCASO is focusing on three key programme areas:

• Universal Access
• Community advocacy development
• HIV/AIDS and human rights