The first meeting of the Global Forum for Bioethics in Research was initiated by the Fogarty International Centre of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the NIH. Held in Bethesda on November 7-10,1999, the intent was to bring together individuals involved in medical research in low- and middle-income nations to share views with each other and with organisations that support clinical research. Approximately 120 persons from 34 countries participated, including individuals from developing countries, pharmaceutical organisations, and communities where medical research is under way.

The participants addressed the partnerships required between research sponsors and investigators involved in clinical trials in developing countries and the long-term needs for international multicentred training programs.