Financed by a special grant fund established by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in 2005, the projects will expand upon the ADB's existing work on HIV/AIDS to develop stronger responses to the epidemic at the country and regional levels, the ADB said in a press release.

Asia is in the path of the global AIDS pandemic. With an estimated 8.3 million infected in the region (including about 1.1. million newly infected in 2005), the disease could prove devastating both socially and economically if its spread is not quickly checked.

"With ADB's experience in working with a broad range of partners to develop approaches that are systematic and multisectoral, we are well placed to play an important role in identifying and disseminating good practices in the fight against AIDS," ADB Principal Health Specialist Jacques Jeugmans has said.

SIDA signed with the ADB an agreement to establish the cooperation fund in February 2005, with an initial commitment of 12.39 million USD equivalent for four years. The fund aims to expand and strengthen the ADB's existing and planned AIDS related work.-Enditem