The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) was created in 1996 out of the recognition that the best long-term solution to the growing AIDS epidemic is a vaccine. As a global organization operating across borders to meet the challenges posed by the epide-mic, IAVI is working to ensure the develop-ment of safe, effective, accessible and pre-ventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world.
IAVI's work focuses on four areas:
-mobilizing support through advocacy and education (by identifying and filling other scientific gaps);
- accelerating scientific progress (by supporting promising vaccine development partnerships);
- encouraging industrial participation in AIDS vaccine development (by expanding public-private collaboration and creating incentives for private sector investment and participation in HIV vaccine development); and;
- assuring global access (by creating the policies necessary for
getting the vaccines to all those who need it).

IAVI collaborates with developing countries, governments and international agencies that are dedicated to accelerating the development of a vaccine to halt the AIDS epidemic. Partners in the private sector include pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi Pasteur, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chiron, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co., Inc. Funding is provided by the Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other donors.