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The U.S. Department of State and the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS: A Chronology
Fact sheet released by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
November 30, 2000
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2000
September
At the 55th UN General Assembly in New York, the Secretary of State joined twelve other female foreign ministers in sending a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proclaiming their joint resolve to combat the global scourge of HIV/AIDS, recognizing the need for strong national and international leadership in that effort, and noting the special needs of women in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.
July
The U.S. helped pass a resolution on HIV/AIDS and its implications for peacekeeping operations, the first UN Security Council resolution on a health issue.
March
The Secretary of State raised the issue of enhanced U.S.-EU cooperation on AIDS and other infectious diseases at the U.S.-EU ministerial meeting.
February
Ambassador Holbrooke joined interagency briefing of Congressional leaders on HIV/AIDS as a foreign policy issue, focusing on its impact on international peacekeeping efforts.
January
UN Security Council meeting on HIV/AIDS in Africa chaired by Vice President Al Gore initiated greater U.S. commitment to international assistance for HIV/AIDS.
1999
November
Secretary of State Albright opened the UN Program to commemorate World AIDS Day at UN Headquarters in New York.
USUN Ambassador Holbrooke traveled to Africa and discussed HIV/AIDS foreign policy concerns with African leaders in preparation for U.S. chairing the UN Security Council.
October
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, raised HIV/AIDS issues with all heads of state in her meetings during the UN General Assembly.
Secretary Albright raised HIV/AIDS issues with heads of state during trip to Africa, encouraging a higher priority to HIV/AIDS by national governments.
April
U.S.-Southern Africa Development Council (SADC) Forum highlighted HIV/AIDS as part of the high-level agenda in this initial multilateral discussion.
$350,000 provided to SADC funds to develop HIV/AIDS policy projects and coordination.
Under Secretary for Global Affairs Frank E. Loy, and UNAIDS Director, Dr. Peter Piot, co-hosted a briefing for the foreign diplomatic community on the foreign policy implications of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
U.S. negotiated an HIV/AIDS resolution in the UN Human Rights Commission meetings strengthening international commitments to HIV/AIDS cooperation and to securing greater respect for human rights for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
March
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright launched a diplomatic initiative, the "U.S. International Response to HIV/AIDS," instructing U.S. ambassadors to raise the profile of global HIV/AIDS and encourage political commitment overseas to combat the disease.
High-level U.S. diplomats overseas directed to engage their counterparts outside of health sector in discussions on the foreign policy (economic, security and social) implications of HIV/AIDS.
1997
June
U.S. negotiated an HIV/AIDS resolution in the UN Human Rights Commission meetings strengthening international commitments to HIV/AIDS cooperation and to securing greater respect for human rights for persons living with the disease.
International visitor programs on HIV/AIDS sponsored by DOS and the former U.S. Information Agency brought foreign professionals in a variety of fields to U.S. to discuss HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases as a foreign policy issue.
March
HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Open Forum hosted by Counselor to the U.S. Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, who issued a directive to foreign policy agencies to make the issue a foreign policy priority. A meeting of State Department principals to develop tools for ambassadors followed the interagency panel of experts.
Interagency meetings held to develop HIV/AIDS issue priorities for U.S. ambassadors overseas.
1996
December
Issuance of a World AIDS Day statement by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, the first time a Secretary of State addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS as a foreign policy issue.
October
Intelligence community briefing on HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases co-sponsored by State and CIA held at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NAFTC).
June
HIV/AIDS discussion part of meeting of Summit of Industrialized Nations (G-8) at Lyons, France, the first time that HIV/AIDS or any health issue was raised at this multilateral forum.
April
National Foreign Affairs Training Center training programs on HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases instituted for Foreign Service officers as well as new ambassadors.
State Department meetings with members of the business community held to discuss HIV/AIDS and infectious disease foreign policy issues.
March
Discussions held with the European Union culminated in agreement to develop HIV/AIDS cooperation through the U.S.-EU Task Force on Communicable Diseases.
February
Discussions held with the Government of Japan to develop cooperation on HIV/AIDS issues between U.S. and Japanese technical and development assistance agencies.
1995
"U.S. Strategy on HIV/AIDS" issued by the Department of State for U.S. government programs and activities affecting international HIV/AIDS efforts.
The Under Secretary for Global Affairs and the Assistant Administrator for the Agency for International Development co-chaired an interagency meeting of the International Sub-Committee of the Committee on International Science, Engineering and Technology (CISET) calling for an interagency study on infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Under the direction of State Department and AID co-chairs, CISET issued report on Emerging Infectious Diseases. This report resulted in issuance of Presidential Decision Directive NSTC-7 calling for greater interagency activity to fight infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
1992
Department of State, working with the intelligence community, issued the first report on the impending global HIV/AIDS crisis. Reports sent to U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide. Interagency HIV/AIDS briefings held with relevant African posts.
Health, including HIV/AIDS, incorporated into multilateral discussions for the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
Briefings on HIV/AIDS were instituted as part of training for all new ambassadors assigned to developing countries.
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