Family Planning International's work is closely linked to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
In 2000, 189 world leaders agreed to eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that would guide action to eliminate poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.
The MDGs, to be achieved by 2015, are:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
- Achieve universal primary education.
- Promote gender equality and empower women.
- Reduce child mortality.
- Improve maternal health.
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
- Ensure environmental sustainability.
- Develop a global partnership for development.
The MDGs will not be met without achieving the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. Sexual and reproductive health relates to the achievement of all of the MDGs.
In 2005, world leaders agreed a new MDG target - to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015. This target sits under MDG 5: 'Improve Maternal Health'.
"The Millennium Development Goals, particularly the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, cannot be achieved if questions of population and reproductive health are not squarely addressed. And this means stronger efforts to promote women's rights and greater investment in education and health, including reproductive health and family planning."
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan