On September 18-19, 2024, a significant event titled “Joint Future” took place in Bangkok, Thailand. This was a combined regional dialogue on community-led monitoring (CLM) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. The event brought together representatives from community organizations, governments, financial institutions, and technical agencies. It was organized by Alliance Seven and the Health Protection Coalition in partnership with the regional UNAIDS offices for AP and ECA, supported by the US CDC and the SKPA-2 Program.

This dialogue emphasized the importance of community-level responses in healthcare, particularly HIV. It fostered cooperation between the EEC and AP regions, enhancing the effectiveness of community-led initiatives. Participants from 17 countries — Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Ukraine — shared their unique perspectives and experiences in implementing CLM.

The first day focused on the achievements and challenges of CLM, highlighting the central role of community leadership. Success stories, struggles, and resilience demonstrated how grassroots efforts revolutionize HIV service delivery and empower communities to create more inclusive healthcare systems even in crisis conditions.

The second day concentrated on the indispensable role of governments as allies in CLM. Sessions were dedicated to advocating for CLM, integrating CLM initiatives into national frameworks, and developing firm commitments for the coming years. The day concluded with group work, during which participants developed a roadmap for future alliances and outlined specific commitments for 2025.

This event provided a unique platform for cross-learning and sharing best practices. We thank all participants and partners for their contributions and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation!

Several key strategic directions for the further development of community-led monitoring (CLM) were discussed at the meeting in Bangkok:

• Strengthening inter-regional cooperation: Participants emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences and best practices between countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
• Developing and implementing new technologies: Opportunities for using modern technologies to improve monitoring, including mobile applications and online platforms, were discussed.
• Training and supporting communities: Participants noted the need for regular training and workshops for community representatives to enhance their monitoring competencies.
• Improving data access: It was proposed to create centralized databases that would allow more efficient collection and analysis of information on health status and access to medical services.
• Advocacy and resource mobilization: Participants discussed strategies for attracting additional resources and funding to support CLM initiatives, as well as the importance of advocacy at national and international levels.

Based on the meeting’s outcomes and analyzing the best practices of the participating countries, the Tajik delegation can adapt these leading practices. For example, various modern technologies can be used to improve community-led monitoring (CLM):

• Mobile applications: They allow users to easily report issues and receive real-time updates. Applications can include features for data collection, photos, and geolocation.