The Myanmar Positive Group (MPG), the National Network of People Living with HIV in Myanmar, was initially organized in 2005 by nine pioneers and visionaries who played a key role in introducing and promoting the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA) concept in Myanmar. These pioneers included people living with HIV as well as committed allies from the National AIDS Program, United Nations agencies, international non‑governmental organizations, and community‑based organizations. The initiative was established with supportive assistance under the GIPA framework, with UNDP serving as the leading facilitating agency and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance providing technical and institutional support.

During its first year of operation, from 2005 to 2006, the network was known as the GIPA Group, reflecting its foundational commitment to meaningful participation and leadership of people living with HIV in the national HIV response.In 2006, the network was formally renamed the Myanmar Positive Group.The core purpose of MPG is to support the development and strengthening of PLHIV Self‑Help Groups, promote solidarity and mutual support among people living with HIV, and enhance communication and cooperation within the community. MPG places strong emphasis on capacity building, leadership development, and meaningful participation of people living with HIV, in line with the GIPA principle, to ensure that their voices are actively represented in decision‑making processes that affect their lives.MPG works to promote a unified and representative voice of people living with HIV in Myanmar. In addition to strengthening national‑level networking and advocacy, the network actively engages with regional and global platforms, including APN+ and GNP+.

Through these connections, MPG contributes to broader HIV dialogues while ensuring that the experiences and perspectives of people living with HIV in Myanmar are shared and reflected at regional and global levels.At the time of its establishment, many people living with HIV in Myanmar were facing stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, as well as limited access to health, treatment, care, and support services. Misunderstanding and fear surrounding HIV often resulted in barriers to services and reduced quality of life. MPG was formed to collectively address these challenges through cooperation, peer support, advocacy, and community‑led action, with the aim of promoting dignity, human rights, and equitable access to services for people living with HIV.

To achieve these goals, MPG conducts a range of activities including capacity‑building workshops and seminars to improve technical knowledge and leadership skills, meetings and discussions involving representatives from multiple states and regions to promote shared learning and coordination, and consultative dialogue to identify and prioritize key issues affecting people living with HIV in Myanmar. Recommendations and advocacy messages are developed through participatory discussion and consensus, ensuring that actions reflect the needs and priorities of the community.MPG is a Networl composed of representatives from PLHIV Self‑Help Groups across Myanmar’s states and regions. Programmatic and organizational decisions are made through discussion and consultation with committee members, advisors, and secretariat staff. The network’s Secretariat office is based in Yangon, from where national‑level coordination, communication, and implementation of activities are carried out.