New Reproductive Health Target for Millennium Development Goal 5 on maternal health
World leaders called for an additional target on universal access to reproductive health by 2015 in the Outcome document for the 2005 World Summit.
This target clearly echoes the goal for universal access included in the 1994 Programme of Action for the International Conference on Population and Development. The UN General Assembly agreed to this reproductive health target in accepting the 2006 report of the Secretary-General and it was discussed at the November meeting of the Inter-Agency Expert Group (IAEG), which is responsible for the indicators to be used in monitoring progress in the implementation of all MDG targets.
Meanwhile, with only half the time for the implementation of the MDGs remaining, it is important that Governments in both developing and donor countries begin to integrate the new target into their planning and programme activities. This will help to ensure that the estimated 201 million women at risk of unintended pregnancy, are able to exercise their right to decide on the number and spacing of their children; that women receive antenatal care; and that the needs of young women, in particular, are adequately addressed.
Sir Nicholas Stern, in his Review of the Economics of climate change, published in November 2006, highlights Population growth as an important factor:
Developing economies are very sensitive to the direct impacts of climate change given their heavy dependence on agriculture and ecosystems, rapid population growth and concentration of millions of people in slum and squatter settlements, and low health levels.
Population growth and rapid urbanisation: Over the next few decades, another 2-3 billion people will be added to the world's population, virtually all of them in developing countries. This will add to the existing strain on natural resources - and the social fabric - in many poor countries, and expose a greater number of people to the effects of climate change.
Greater effort is required to encourage lower rates of population growth. Development on the MDG dimensions (in particular income, the education of women, and reproductive health) is the most powerful and sustainable way to approach population growth.