AIDS was first discovered in USA when unusual infections seen in clusters 3,064 AIDS cases recorded in the US. Of these, 1,292 had died

First international meeting to discuss the global AIDS situation, and the start of surveillance by WHO. Scientists identified HIV to be the cause of this new disease

First international AIDS Conference in Atlanta.

20,303 cases of AIDS reported worldwide to the WHO.

The government of Ethiopia established a national task force to address prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Issue of the first AIDS control strategy.

AIDS became the first disease ever debated on the floor of the UN General Assembly. It resolved to mobilize the entire UN system in the world to struggle against AIDS, under the leadership of WHO.

In Ethiopia, the Department of AIDS Control was established in the Ministry of Health and a national program to prevent and control HIV/AIDS was launched. These activities were followed by a number of sero-surveys across the country, to map out the extent of the epidemic.

UNAIDS, headed by Dr Peter Piot, and based in Geneva was established to replace the WHO’s Global program on AIDS.

At the 11th International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver, Canada, it was announced that antiretroviral or combination therapy was dramatically improving people’s health.

2.5 million estimated AIDS cases worldwide. 14 million adult cases of HIV infection
Total infected 23 million, and 6.4 million people had already died from AIDS

Researchers find that a single oral dose of the antiretroviral drug, Nevirapine, is both more effective and affordable in reducing mother to child transmission. the Ethiopian government formulated a national policy on HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS estimated that 33 million people were living with HIV and AIDS

Ethiopia, The National AIDS Prevention and Control Council and its secretariat were established, chaired by the president of Ethiopia and is comprised of members from government, NGOs, religious bodies, and civil society.

The council oversees the implementation of the Strategic Framework for the National Response to HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia for 2001-2005, examines and approves annual plans and budgets, and monitors plan performance and impact.

In December 2000, The Ethiopian government obtained a US$59.7 million loan from the World Bank to respond to the epidemic.  Other bilateral and multilateral organizations have contributed an additional US$35 million.

The UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS. 189 countries agreed to establish time-bounded targets to which governments and the United Nation may be held accountable.

Multi-Country HIV and AIDS Program for Africa (MAP): managed by the World Bank and financed with $500 million, the programme gives loans at zero interest for support to government programmes to increase access to HIV and AIDS efforts. Ethiopia June 2001, the National AIDS Prevention and Control Council declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created to dramatically increase resources and disburses new resources to programmes in countries with the greatest need.
Since 2001, the Global Fund has attracted US$ 4.7 billion in financing through 2008. In its first two rounds of grant-making, it has committed US $ 1.5 billion in funding to support 154 programs in 93 countries worldwide.