It was 1999.
Unidentified Flying Objects began appearing with disturbing regularity in the night skies. Reports of violent human abductions and horrific experimentation struck terror into the hearts of millions. Mass public hysteria only served to expose Earth’s impotence against a vastly superior technology.

Many countries attempted to deal independently with the aliens. In August 1998, Japan established an anti-alien combat force; the Kiryu-Kai. Equipped with advanced fighter aircraft, the Kiryu-Kai looked like a powerful force. However, after 5 months of expensive operations they had yet to successfully intercept their first UFO. The lesson was clear: this was a worldwide problem that could not be dealt with by individual countries.

On December 11, 1998, representatives from the world’s most economically powerful countries gathered secretly in Geneva. After much debate, the decision was made to establish a covert independent body to combat, investigate and defeat the alien threat. This organization would be equipped with the world’s finest pilots, soldiers, scientists and engineers, working together as one multi-national force. Officially, this organization was named UNETCO.

Or just: XCOM.