With the aim of identifying solutions to the world’s unmet health needs through research and innovation, Forum 2015 provided delegates with a unique global platform on which to present ideas for innovation in health and create partnerships for action.

The Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) partnered with the Philippines for this event, which took place in August 2015, to allow stakeholders in development from around the world (including public, private and non-profit stakeholders) to set an agenda with the ultimate outcome of improving health, equity and socio-economic development in a sustainable way.

Understanding the importance of ongoing research and innovation in health is of growing importance, particularly with the impending 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. With over 4,000 registered delegates representing over 72 countries, this understanding was key to the programme, which featured not only the conference activities onsite in the Philippines but also an online discussion platform to encourage participation from those who were not able to attend in person.

A message from Benigno Simeon S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, was delivered by Mario G. Montejo, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, commenting that this type of constant and pro-active vigilance from the global research community is what is needed to improve and secure the wellbeing of people all over the world, especially those in low- and middle-income countries.

BMJ Open is pleased to support this meeting by publishing Forum 2015 abstracts – all of which can be found online at: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/Suppl_1.toc. With topics ranging from e-health to music therapy and disaster response, there is likely to be something of interest to all professionals working in global health.

Readers may also be interested in the newly launched journal BMJ Global Health – an online, open access journal from the BMJ dedicated to publishing high-quality peer-reviewed content relevant to those involved in global health. Further information on this journal can be found here: http://gh.bmj.com/.