On Jun. 18, 1996, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) was launched, calling for the speedy development of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine for use worldwide. The Initiative created the Scientific Blueprint for AIDS Vaccine Development.

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) was conceived at the meeting as a vehicle to address these issues. Launched in 1996 as a nonprofit, public-private, product development partnership (PDP), IAVI immediately began taking steps to address each of these problems. Operating as a PDP allows IAVI to harness the experience and expertise of vaccine manufacturers and other for-profit entities but remain unhindered by the commercial imperatives that discourage private investment in high-risk endeavors, such as HIV vaccine research and development.

Since 1996, IAVI invested nearly $20 million in the research and development of HIV vaccines by companies and research institutes worldwide. IAVI received major financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the World Bank; the Rockefeller, Sloan and Starr foundations; Becton, Dickinson & Co.; and eight national governments, among other donors. IAVI is a Collaborating Centre of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).