HIV/AIDS Prevention among Youth Project

The Long-Term Strategic Framework of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) commits it to supporting the pursuit of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region and in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). MDG 6 is to halt and begin to reverse the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) by 2015. However, progress in this direction has not been encouraging and there is great concern that the number of people infected in the Asia and Pacific region and in particular countries, including Viet Nam, could still significantly grow.

The Government of Viet Nam has requested ADB's support for an HIV/AIDS focused activity that will focus on youth and behavior change communication (BCC) strategies. The proposed activity is a key part of the Government's national AIDS strategy that to date is not well-supported by national or international financial resources. The proposed targeting of the youth, capacity building, and leadership advocacy using innovative approaches according to the national strategy is consistent with ADB’s proposed strategic directions in HIV/AIDS and fits in ADB’s country strategy.