This publication gives an overview of the Asia and Pacific Region; provides a detailed analysis of some of the crucial issues facing the region - adolescent reproductive health, population ageing, rising spread of HIV/AIDS, gender discrimination, gender-based violence, situations of crisis; and highlights UNFPA's core interventions and major initiatives in each of these areas.

From 1998 - 2002 the European Commission, UNFPA and European and local NGOs came together under the Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia (RHI) to improve the RH of vulnerable populations in 7 countries in South and Southeast Asia. This publication presents the activities, experiences and lessons learned over the course of the first phase of this innovative programme.

This report is focused on illustrating the interface between culture, gender and reproductive health issues addressed by UNFPA. It draws attention to challenges and opportunities in terms of both issues and strategies that have implications for programming interventions.

This publication gives an overview of the situation of maternal and newborn health in the East and South East Asia region, with a focus on progress and the interventions needed to save women's and newborn's lives. There is now a clear evidence base of the priority interventions in maternal and newborn health which need to be in place to avert maternal and neonatal mortality in countries with limited resources.