LONDON/GENEVA -- The world’s maternal mortality ratio (the number of maternal deaths per 100 000 live births) is declining too slowly to meet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, which aims to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by three-quarters by 2015.

"In this 21st century no woman should die giving life. It is unacceptable that one woman dies every minute during pregnancy and childbirth when proven interventions exist. Millions of lives are at stake, and we must act now.

At the midway point in the timeline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, it is time to accelerate investments in women’s health and rights. It is time for governments to make reproductive health a priority."

MACAO, China—Confronting the unprecedented ageing of their populations, many Asian governments are formulating plans to meet the economic, social and health needs of older people. But growing recognition of the challenges ahead is not yet matched by adequate policies, particularly in less-developed countries.

An increased sense of urgency was evident here this week as delegates from two dozen countries met to review progress since a global conference on ageing in Madrid in 2002.

UNITED NATIONS, New York – The landmark Women Deliver conference will bring some of the United Nations’ most high-powered leaders to London in October to further the Millennium Development Goals of curbing preventable pregnancy-related deaths of mothers and newborns.

LONDON/GENEVA -- WHO today releases the first guide on age-friendly cities. The guide, which is based on consultations with older people in 33 cities in 22 countries, has identified the key hysical, social and services attributes of age-friendly urban settings. Istanbul, London, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, and Tokyo were part of the consultation along with many other regional centres and towns.

Message of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.

Today on the International Day of Older Persons, UNFPA joins the worldwide celebration of longevity and acknowledges the contributions of older persons to their families, communities and societies.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador witnesses humanitarian crisis.

DAMASCUS – UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has visited Iraq and Syria to see first-hand the plight of hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

A campaign to raise US$ 220 million to help children of conflict was launched Wednesday by the UN refugee agency at the annual Clinton Global Initiative in New York.

Speaking at a press conference, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, called the ninemillion initiative "a means of ensuring that vulnerable children are fully able to realize their right to an education."

Batken Oblast, Kyrgyz Republic

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kyrgyzstan and Batken local authorities will launch a new programme committing more than $200,000 USD to ensure the rights children in Batken to early childhood development, education and social protection.