Policy & Programming

South African mining company Anglo American produces one of the first HIV and AIDS workplace policies.

“But AIDS remorselessly highlights and exposes the weaknesses, the inadequacies and inequities of our existing health and social systems and the gaps in our knowledge of others and ourselves. In this way, the fight against AIDS has become part – key element – in a broader fight for health – for all.”
– Jonathan Mann, head of the Global Programme on AIDS, speaks at the 4th International AIDS Conference in Geneva.

AIDS is the first ever disease debated at the UN General Assembly, which resolves to mobilise the entire UN system in the worldwide struggle against AIDS, under WHO leadership.

The World Health Organization launches the Special (later Global) Programme on AIDS.

Uganda begins promoting ‘zero-grazing’ and ‘love carefully’ to prevent HIV.

The first International AIDS Conference is held in Atlanta, USA.

The Brazilian government sets up the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) with active participation from civil society.

Project SIDA launches in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) – the first and largest project on AIDS in Africa.

The world’s first needle and syringe exchange programme opens in the Netherlands, amid growing concerns about AIDS.

Brazil’s first AIDS control programme launches in Sao Paolo.