The invention relates to the identification and the selection of CTL epitopes able to induce a protection against an HIV infection. More particularly, the invention is concerned with peptides and nucleic acid sequence coding for these peptides derived from HIV-1 proteins such as GAG, POL, ENV, VIF, TAT, VPU, REV and their applications. Preferably the immunogenic peptides are selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 18 and functional derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to antibodies directed against said peptides.