6000 researchers attended and presented 220 science reports.[1] 900 journalists attended.[1]
Vice President George H. W. Bush spoke at the conference on the topic of confidentiality of HIV testing, for which the government was developing a policy.[2]
Robert Gallo announced the discovery of HIV-2.[2]
The conference marked an international acceptance in recognizing AIDS. Between 1986-7, the number of countries which reported AIDS statistics to the WHO doubled.[1] The conference brought recognition to many countries' national HIV education programs.[1] There was no single research breakthrough at the conference which emerged as particularly newsworthy in the mass media.[1]