Connecting Asia: A Regional Consultation on ICT, HIV, MSM and Getting to the 90-90-90 Targets

On June 14, U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies opened a three-day event in Bangkok with over 150 delegates from 22 Asian countries to find ways to improve the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to connect men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women with HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. Participants at the The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)USAID Asia and UNAIDS sponsored conference explored existing technology and envisioned innovative uses of ICT to reduce stigma and remove barriers to accessing HIV services by MSM and transgender communities in Asia, where the HIV epidemic is high. In particular, delegates explored how technology can help reach the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets by 2020: 90% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status; 90% of people with knowledge of their status being on treatment; and 90% of those on treatment having undetectable levels of HIV, which significantly reduces the likelihood of the virus being transmitted.