In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, around 52 000 women of childbearing age die every year as a result of pregnancy-related complications, second only to the African Region with regard to the number of maternal deaths.

Current efforts in some countries are still insufficient to achieve the fifth Millennium Development Goal on improving maternal health. Strong commitment, intensive efforts and effective national policies and strategies are now urgently required in order to translate vision into action.

The strategic directions for accelerating the reduction of maternal mortality in the  Eastern Mediterranean Region provides a background on the current situation of maternal health in the Region, including underlying causes and contributing factors, and describes strategic directions aimed at accelerating the reduction of maternal mortality in the Region and moving closer to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.