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Asian Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations The Asian Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations, located in Bali, Indonesia, is the regional office of ICASO, the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations. ICASO's mission is to promote and support the work of community - based organizations in the prevention of AIDS and care and treatment for people living with HIV / AIDS, with particular emphasis on strengthening the response in communities with fewer resources and within affected communities. ICASO aspires to accomplish these objectives through information sharing, advocacy, and network building. Teresita Bagasao, Secretary of APCASO, said earlier this year "Governments need to work in partnership with community organizations and ensure that a supportive environment is in place to deal with the growing demand for effective care and prevention activities. APCASO itself continues to expand with over 120 partner organizations in the region. APCASO's approach will be towards subregional development where local groups within each subregion take a proactive role in identifying, planning / developing and implementing their responses to sub - regional concerns, issues, and problems. Core member organizations from each sub region become the focal point in the development of their respective subregional networks. APCASO is also sponsoring a Human Rights Initiative to interest more non-governmental organizations working with HIV/AIDS issues to integrate human rights issues into their existing programs. The Human Rights Project has been funded by the Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention.