Youth delegates from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered at a regional conference in Vientiane to discuss measures to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Wednesday.

The conference, named Youth at Risk of HIV Infection, is seen as a significant way to strengthen relationships and bring together different ideas and points of view towards the issue, said the newspaper.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Vanna Douangphachanh said that Lao government has made efforts to direct the country's youth to the Lao traditional attitudes and values. Hence, the youth, as the nation's future, will be fully aware of the negative impacts of the disease.

During the two-day conference, representatives from some member countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos reported the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people in their countries.

At the conference, all delegates from ASEAN countries exchanged information and shared experiences to find the best solutions to achieve the objectives, according to the newspaper.

ASEAN cooperation on HIV/AIDS started in 1992 when the bloc's leaders attending the 4th ASEAN Summit called for the establishment of a regional taskforce on AIDS as well as the preparation of a regional work program, according to the newspaper.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2010)