Purpose

Since the last workshop in November 2008, a number of related initiatives had been launched in the GMS, including the AusAID-funded ADB Regional Technical Assistance 6467 (HIV Prevention and Infrastructure: Mitigating Risks in the GMS) which address HIV risks and vulnerabilities in the pre-construction, construction and the post-construction settings.

New resources have also been produced and a modality for sharing them through the GMS HIV and Infrastructure website makes these resources readily available. Information on ADB's initiatives on HIV Prevention and Infrastructure in the GMS is also available at this website.

With this backdrop, the workshop served as a venue for: a) sharing experiences and lessons from the implementation of various HIV prevention projects in major transport corridors in the GMS and the best approaches for addressing challenges; and b) strengthen understanding for gender, monitoring and evaluation among field implementing agencies.

Objectives

The workshop aimed to foster:

• Shared understanding of experiences and lessons from HIV prevention initiatives associated with major road projects, and the best approaches for addressing challenges; and
• A clearer understanding among project implementors and cooperating agencies of the M&E reqoirements and how to meet them.

Participants

Participants included the following:

• National and provincial AIDS authorities from GMS countries,
• Officials from ministries of public works and transport,
• Subproject teams implementing RETA 6467 sub-projects and related initiatives in the GMS, and
• ADB project officers and external experts