MDGs 4 and 5 aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, respectively27 January 2013 – Addressing the health of mothers and children is at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and health and development index. It is the subject and focus of several United Nations and WHO resolutions adopted by all Member States.

To reduce mortality among mothers and children, WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund have jointly organized a high-level meeting "Saving the lives of mothers and children: accelerating progress towards achieving MDGs 4 and 5 in the Region". The meeting will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 29 to 30 January 2013, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.