National HIV infection levels in Asia are low compared with some other continents, notably Africa. However, the populations of many Asian nations are so large that even a low national HIV prevalence means large numbers of people are living with HIV Latest estimates suggest some 8.3 million plus were living with HIV in 2005. This includes I.I million people who became newly infected in 2005.

AIDS claimed some 520,000 lives in 2005. Some countries have avoided HIV epidemics for many years despite significant levels of injecting drug use, commercial sex and infrequent condom use. However, once HIV establishes a firm-enough presence in at-risk population groups, it can spread extensively among and beyond them - as several Asian countries have discovered.

The AIDS epidemic is now changing in several Asian Countries including those that managed to limit earlier HIV epidemics. They need to tackle their dunging epidemics more boldly. 'I his will require designing and implementing programmes that can limit HIV transmission among at-risk groups and ages. They must also give serious consideration to women and children.