The Global Forum for Health Research participated as one of seven invited Concerned Entities in the second session of the World Health Organization (WHO) IGWG on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 5 to 10 November 2007. The IGWG convened to discuss and revise the draft global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property that emerged following its first session in Geneva from 4 to 8 December 2006.

The Working Group's mandate is to prepare a global strategy and plan of action on essential health research to address conditions affecting developing countries disproportionately.

At the first session of the IGWG in December 2006, the Secretariat identified and invited a group of experts and concerned entities with an outstanding achievement in their own field and an understanding of the issues covered by the IGWG, including the Global Forum for Health Research. Preparatory work for the second session drew specific attention to the work of the Global Forum in the areas of priority setting and funding for health research, two top priorities of the Global Forum's work to improve the health of the poor.

These background documents with references to the Global Forum can be found here:

• Priority-setting models for research and development
• Mapping the funding for research and development for neglected diseases
• Public-private partnerships for health-care product development

Important progress was made towards consensus during the second session, and the Global Forum will continue its participation in the work of the IGWG when it resumes prior to WHA61.