Agreement Strengthens Protection of Reproductive Health and Rights in Nine CIS Countries - 17 May 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- UNFPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States signed a cooperation agreement on advancing reproductive health and rights in the region. The agreement was signed by Regional Director Thea Fierens on behalf of UNFPA and by the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. A former governor of Saint Petersburg, Ms. Matvienko is the first woman in the countryrsquo;s history to hold what is considered to be the third most influential political tenure in the state. (Source: UNFPA News)

Maternal Deaths Halved in 20 Years, but Faster Progress Needed - 16 May 2012
UNITED NATIONS, New York ndash; The number of women dying of pregnancy and childbirth related complications has almost halved in 20 years, according to new estimates released today by the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, UNFPA and the World Bank. This shows that the enhanced effort of countries, supported by UNFPA and other development partners, is paying off. But we canrsquo;t stop here. Our work must continue to make every pregnancy wanted and every childbirth safe, said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA. (Source: UNFPA News)